Psalm 23
The full text of Psalm 23 in the Trinity Bible Version — clear modern English, translated from the original Hebrew. Free to read.
A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and steadfast love shall pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Translation notes (3)
- Psalm 23:4a The Hebrew word tsalmaveth is traditionally translated as "shadow of death," but it possibly means "deep darkness" (tsalmut). Both meanings are preserved in the translation.
- Psalm 23:5a The imagery shifts from shepherd to host. Anointing a guest's head with oil marked honored hospitality in the ancient Near East (compare Luke 7:46). The Hebrew verb is dishanta (דִּשַּׁנְתָּ), literally 'you make rich' or 'refresh', not the usual term for ritual anointing, and the closing phrase kosi revayah means literally 'my cup is saturation'.
- Psalm 23:6a The Hebrew word yirdephuni literally means "shall chase/pursue me." Here, the one who was hunted becomes hunted by grace.
About this translation
You are reading the Trinity Bible Version (TBV) — an original 2026 translation made straight from the Hebrew, in clear modern English, exclusive to Trinity Bible. Every chapter of every book is free to read online. For the study edition — with Hebrew and Greek on every verse and the full translation notes — open Psalms in the Trinity Bible app.
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