Story 39 • Psalm 23

The Lord Is My Shepherd



Bible Text

Before the lesson, read or listen to Psalm 23 below. Spend some time in prayer for the kids in your class.


The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23   The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    He makes me lie down in green pastures.
  He leads me beside still waters.1
    He restores my soul.
  He leads me in paths of righteousness2
    for his name’s sake.
  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,3
    I will fear no evil,
  for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
  You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
  you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
  Surely4 goodness and mercy5 shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
  and I shall dwell6 in the house of the LORD
    forever.7

Footnotes

[1] 23:2 Hebrew beside waters of rest
[2] 23:3 Or in right paths
[3] 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness
[4] 23:6 Or Only
[5] 23:6 Or steadfast love
[6] 23:6 Or shall return to dwell
[7] 23:6 Hebrew for length of days


For study tools and access to the full Bible text, go to ESV.org.

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