Read | Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd;
I have what I need.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside quiet waters.
He renews my life;
he leads me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even when I go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
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.
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
as long as I live.
Click here to listen to the Scripture in ESV.
Meditate on this passage by reading it in silence once, out loud a second time, and writing a portion of it down. What stands out to you?
Focus
As a church, we will be working to memorize Psalm 23. This psalm has comforted God’s people for millenia as it portrays God as our tender and caring shepherd who leads us to rest in his presence. Meditating on Psalm 23 reminds us that our God’s goodness and mercy will never leave us, even in our darkest moments.
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Memorize Psalm 23:1–2
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Write out Psalm 23:1–2
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The LORD is my shepherd;
I have what I need.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside quiet waters.
Pray
As you pray this ancient prayer, ask God to help you call to mind and meditate on his word throughout your day.
“Lord, inspire us to read your Scriptures and to meditate upon them day and night. We beg you to give us real understanding of what we need, that we in turn may put its precepts into practice. Yet we know that understanding and good intentions are worthless, unless rooted in your graceful love. So we ask that the words of Scriptures may also be not just signs on a page, but channels of grace into our hearts.”
- Origen (as quoted in Every Moment Holy, Vol 3, The Work of the People)
Going Deeper
If you are also following the BibleProject’s One Story That Leads to Jesus reading plan, complete today’s reading.
