Psalm 23 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 23 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Verse 2He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
Verse 3he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.
Verse 4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff- they comfort me.
Verse 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Verse 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Devotion
The themes of the Old Testament text from Isaiah 25:1-9 are echoed in Psalm 23. The psalmist sings of God who restores our souls and comforts us in the midst of sorrow and death. God also welcomes us to the heavenly table while protecting us from the enemies that surround us. Perhaps the best message we receive in the singing of this psalm is that we are not alone. We need fear no evil for God is with us.