Psalm 23:1-3

New International Version (NIV)

“1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.”

New Living Translation (NLT)

“1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.”

New King James Version (NKJV)

“1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.”

World English Bible (WEB)

“1 Yahweh is my shepherd:
I shall lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

Psalm 23 is a well-known and beloved psalm in the Bible, often referred to as the “Shepherd’s Psalm.” It begins with the verse: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

What is the meaning of Psalm 23:1-3

In this verse, the psalmist (the person writing the psalm) is expressing their trust and reliance on God as their shepherd. A shepherd is someone who tends and protects a flock of sheep, and the psalmist is saying that God is like a shepherd to them, guiding and caring for them. The phrase “I shall not want” means that the psalmist believes that God will provide for all their needs and wants.

The next two verses of Psalm 23 read: “He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

These verses describe how God provides rest and nourishment for the psalmist, both physically and spiritually. The “green pastures” and “still waters” can be understood as symbols of rest and refreshment, while the phrase “He restores my soul” suggests that God helps the psalmist to find peace and fulfillment in their relationship with him. The final phrase, “He leads me in paths of righteousness,” suggests that God guides the psalmist towards a life of righteousness and moral integrity.

Overall, the first three verses of Psalm 23 present a picture of God as a loving and caring shepherd who provides for all the needs of his people.