Psalm 23

See Psalm 24 for Psalm 23 in Greek (Vulgata) numbering.

Illustration from "The Sunday at Home", 1880

Psalm 23 (Greek numbering: Psalm 22 because of its opening line) is the 23rd psalm in the Old Testament Book of Psalms and perhaps the best-known psalm, and perhaps the best-known chapter in the Hebrew Bible. The writer describes God as his shepherd. The theme of this poem casts God in the role of protector and provider, and is routinely read and recited by Jews and Christians alike. For Christians, the "Lord" referred is sometimes taken to be Jesus, who referred himself as the "good shepherd" according to the Gospel of John.

It has been set to music a number of times, particularly by hymn writers.

Text

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

— Psalm 23:1–6

Shepherd theme

Psalm 23 portrays God as a good shepherd, feeding (verse 1) and leading (verse 3) his flock. The "rod and staff" (verse 4) are also the implements of a shepherd. Some commentators see the shepherd imagery pervading the entire psalm. It is known that the shepherd is to know each sheep by name, thus when God is given the analogy of a shepherd, he is not only a protector but also the caretaker. God, as the caretaker, leads the sheep to green pastures (verse 2) and still waters (verse 2) because he knows that each of his sheep must be personally led to be fed. Thus, without its Shepherd, the sheep would die either by a predator or of starvation, since sheep are known for their helplessness without their shepherd.

J. Douglas MacMillan argues that verse 5 ("Thou preparest a table before me") refers to the "old oriental shepherding practice" of using little raised tables to feed sheep. Similarly, "Thou anointest my head with oil" may refer to an ancient form of backliner – the oil is poured on wounds, and repels flies. MacMillan also notes that verse 6 ("Goodness and mercy shall follow me") reminds him of two loyal sheepdogs coming behind the flock.

John Ellinwood argues that in verses 4 and 5 King David acknowledges God's protection in expeditions and in battles. "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies" refers to the sober raucous dinner before major battles. These were raucous in order to demoralize hostiles camped within earshot, and (only) the king ate from a table. "Thou anointest my head with oil" because tomorrow this ceremony might be impossible. After each victory there was no longer a need for sobriety, so "my cup runneth over." The king's lyricist wisely shortened these military verses for balance. Also in Psalm 18 David mentions God's protection in battle. [13].

The first verse of the psalm as well as a long tradition ascribe authorship to King David, said in the Hebrew Scriptures to have been a field shepherd himself as a youth.

Psalm 23 is traditionally sung by Jews in Hebrew at the third Shabbat meal on Saturday afternoon. It is also sung during the Yizkor service. Sephardic and some Hassidic Jews also sing during Friday afternoon services and as part of the Sabbath night and day meals and before marital relations on Friday night. It is read at a cemetery funeral service instead of the traditional prayer during Jewish holidays.

In Christian tradition

Psalm 23 is often referred to as the Shepherd's psalm

For Christians the image of God as a shepherd evokes connections not only with David but with Jesus, described as "Good Shepherd" in the Gospel of John. The phrase about "the valley of the shadow of death" is often taken as an allusion to the eternal life given by Jesus.

Orthodox Christians typically include this Psalm in the prayers of preparation for receiving the Eucharist.

The Reformation inspired widespread efforts in western Europe to make biblical texts available in vernacular languages. One of the most popular early English versions was the Geneva Bible (1557). The most widely recognized version of the psalm in English today is undoubtedly the one drawn from the King James Bible (1611).

The psalm is a popular passage for memorization and is often used in sermons.

Metrical versions

Main article: Metrical psalter

Eastman Johnson's 1863 painting "The Lord is My Shepherd".

An early metrical version of the psalm in English was made in 1565 by Thomas Sternhold. Other metrical versions to emerge from the Protestant Reformation include those from The Bay Psalm Book (1640) and a version influenced by Sternholm published in the Scottish Psalter (1650). The latter version is still encountered, with modernized spelling, in many Protestant hymns. Other notable metrical versions include those by George Herbert, Philip Sidney, and Isaac Watts.

A metrical version of the psalm is traditionally sung to the hymn tune Crimond, generally attributed to Jessie Seymour Irvine. This version, with its opening words "The Lord's My Shepherd", is probably the best-known amongst English-speaking congregations. Other melodies, such as Brother James' Air or Amazing Grace, are also used. Other tunes sometimes used include Belmont, Evan, Martyrdom, Orlington, and Wiltshire.

Use in funerals

In the 20th century, Psalm 23 became particularly associated with funeral liturgies in the English-speaking world, and films with funeral scenes often depict a graveside recitation of the psalm. Official liturgies of English-speaking churches were slow to adopt this practice, though. The Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England has only Psalms 39 and 90 in its order for the burial of the dead, and in the Episcopal Church in the United States, Psalm 23 was not used for funerals until the 1928 revision of the prayer book.

Use in Judaism

This Psalm is found in the Friday night Maariv service. It is also traditionally sung three times during the third Sabbath meal.

In popular culture

• Psalm 23 is alluded to often in popular songs and other media. Examples include these:
  • The Eagles on their album song Long Road Out of Eden (2007).
  • Also makes reference in the Nagisa Oshima's film Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1982) when the Japanese POW's in the World War II sing like a consolation for a dead commander Jack Cellier.
  • Peter Tosh on his album song Jah Guide (album Equal Rights, 1977).
  • A French aristocrat recites the Psalm just before his beheading in the first scene of The Scarlet Pimpernel, a BBC movie (1982) based on the nineteenth-century novel.
  • In the film We Were Soldiers, Lt. Col Hal Moore (played by Mel Gibson) recites this Psalm as he is giving a speech to his men on their graduation from basic air cavalry training before leaving for Vietnam.
  • The hit 1973 song "Lay Down" by Strawbs is clearly derived from Psalm 23 although, it does not use the original wording.
  • A demented parody version of this Psalm is used in the song Sheepby Pink Floyd from the album Animals.
  • This psalm makes up part of the lyrics to The Grateful Dead's "Ripple" from their album American Beauty.
  • The psalm is sung by Mahalia Jackson in the 1958 album Black, Brown and Beige by Duke Ellington.
  • In the film Saving Private Ryan, Private Daniel Jackson (played by Barry Pepper) recites this psalm near the end of the film as he is snipping German soldiers from a church tower.
  • In the film "Varsity Blues", the character Billy Bob recites a version of this prayer before the seasons opening game: "Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no faggots from Bingville."
  • The King James version of the psalm is uses as the lyrics of Megadeth's "Shadow of Deth" from their album The System Has Failed.
  • A short part of the lyrics for Alice in Chains' song "Sickman" (from their album Dirt) references the psalm (Yea, and though I walked through the valley of rape and despair...)
  • This psalm (in Hebrew) makes up part of the lyrics to Orphaned Land's "Aldiar Al Mukadisa" from their album Sahara.
  • This psalm (in Hebrew) makes up part of the lyrics to Shlomo Carlebach's "Gam Ki Elech".
  • This psalm makes up the lyrics to "Vater Unser", or "Lord's Prayer" by E Nomine from their album Das Testament, as well as the single Vater Unser.
  • The psalm also makes up the first line in a song by the rap Coolio entitled "Gangsta's Paradise".
  • Further this psalm makes up part of the lyrics in the hit song "Jesus Walks" by the rap artist Kanye West.
  • This psalm is recited at the beginning of the song "You're Nobody (Till Somebody Kills You)" by the Notorious B.I.G on the Life After Death album.
  • Bobby McFerrin wrote an a cappella adaptation of this psalm, using the female gender for pronouns referring to God.
  • In the 1999 film Deep Blue Sea, LL Cool J's character recites a version of the Psalm before the character attempt to kill a genetically enhanced shark his version goes Though I walk through the Valley of Shadow of Death I shall fear No Evil for I carry a Big Stick and I am the Meanest Motherfucker in the Land.
  • In the film Van Helsing, Frankenstein recites Psalm 23 after being captured by Dracula during the Carnival in Budapest.
  • In an episode of the television show Oz, prisoner Reverend Jeremiah Cloutier recites Psalm 23 while he was trapped due to fellow prisoners Timmy Kirk and Jaz Hoyt.
  • An episode of the television series Lost that aired on January 11, 2006 is titled "The 23rd Psalm". The characters Mr. Eko and Charlie recite the psalm together (as "I walk through the shadow of the valley of death.") The characters Mr. Eko and Charlie recite the psalm together after discovering an airplane that Eko's brother Yemi crashed in.
  • The psalm, in Hebrew, is featured in the 2nd movement of Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms. Bernstein specifically asks for a boy alto or male countertenor to sing the beautiful solo of this movement, depicting the young David.
  • The same psalm is used on the song "Gaia" by the Spanish folk metal band Mago de Oz.
  • In the film The Elephant Man, the title character recites the psalm, revealing for the first time that he is an educated and sensitive person.
  • U2's collaboration song with Bob Dylan, "Love Rescue Me" from the album Rattle and Hum includes the lyrics "Yea, though I walk in the valley of the shadow, Yea, I will fear no evil. I have cursed thy rod and staff, They no longer comfort me, Love rescue me."
  • The psalm is recited by the main title police character sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward) in the film The Wicker Man, as he is burned alive (sacrificed) in a brutal pagan ritual ceremony on Summerisle, a fictitious, remote Scottish island whose inhabitants have abandoned Christianity.
  • West Bromwich Albion F.C. fans frequently sing part of this on matchdays. But in effect in it is only 2 fat bastards called Halesowen Baggie and Boings in a clipclop.
  • In the 2005 movie Jarhead, Staff Sgt. Sykes (Jamie Foxx) parodies the psalm saying, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for I am the baddest motherfucker in the valley." An earlier version of the profane parody is recited in the movie Full Metal Jacket. The parody is available on T-shirts and bumper stickers popular among some military and gun enthusiasts. This has also been used by author Joel Rosenberg in one of his "Guardians of the Flames" novels.
  • The psalm was a staple for the first 20 minutes of so of Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction movie, recited by the character portrayed by Samuel Jackson, Jr.
  • The protgonists Stephen King novel 'Salem's Lot recite the psalm to build their courage before fighting vampires.
  • The psalm is recited in the graphic novel V for Vendetta by Anthony Lilliman, the corrupt Bishop of Westminster, as the revolutionary V breaks into Westminister Abbey with the intent of killing him.
  • The English sitcom The Vicar of Dibley uses the psalm as its theme music set by Howard Goodall and performed by 'George and the Choir' (The Choir of Christ Church Catherdal, Oxford). The conductor is Stephen Darlington. It was released as a charity single with proceeds to Comic Relief.
  • In an episode of Prison Break, Michael Scofield prays the 23rd Psalm around the time his brother is about to be executed.
  • In the movie X2: X-Men United, Nightcrawler recites the Psalm 23 at near the end of the movie, after Jean Grey sacrifices herself to save the X-Men.
  • Recited by Joe in Hitchcock's 1944 film Lifeboat (novella written by John Steinbeck).
  • The psalm was used in George W. Bush's address to the United States on September 11, 2001 after the following attacks of that day.
  • A verse of the psalm was used many times in the album Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death) by the band Marilyn Manson.
  • In German music group E Nomine's song "Psalm 23" from the album Das Testament, the Lutherbibel version of the psalm is recited.
  • In the song "For You" (We Were Soldiers Soundtrack) by Johnny Cash and Dave Matthews, Johnny Cash sings around 2:00 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of, the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. You are with me."
  • In the 1997 version of Titanic, as Rose and Jack are climbing towards to the front of the boat, as it is sinking, there is a man who is climbing the stairs in front of them. While he is climbing, he is saying, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..." after which Jack says "you wanna walk a little faster through that valley pal?" (because he is holding up the people trying to get back of the ship).
  • In one version of the song "No W" by industrial metal band Ministry (the version used for the video, without the guitar solo), George W. Bush simply says "Psalm 23" just before the music kicks in.
  • It is the part of the Ezekiel 25:17 pastiche in Pulp Fiction.
  • Part of the psalm was mournfully recited by a doomed soldier in the film Gallipoli (1981), just before his regiment charged out of the trench (final charge) towards the machine guns.
  • The Psalm is spoofed in the 1992 comedy Sister Act as part of a meal blessing : "And uh... ye Lord, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of no food, I shall fear no hunger."
  • In "Let There Be Light" by Nas ft. The Williams, the chorus contains the lyrics "As I walk through the shadow of death, I know that I ain't got much time left. And they don't really wanna see the good in me. Ain't satisfied until they see the fool in me?"
  • In John Cheever's famous short story, "The Death of Justina", the psalm is recited in full.
  • The 1953 version of The War of the Worlds shows the Priest reciting the Psalm as he is walking towards the Martians.
  • On the American Punk/Alternative rock band Good Charlotte's album, Good Morning Revival, their song "The River ft. M. Shadows and Synyster Gates" begins with the line, "As I walk through the valley of the shadow of L.A."
  • In Supernatural, enscribed on The Colt is "non timbeo mala" which translates to "I will fear no evil", a reference to Psalm 23.
  • Progressive metal band "Dream Theater" released a song entitled In the Presence of Enemies on their 2007 album Systematic Chaos. The song, is often interpreted as a man's inner struggles with evil on his deathbed. The man is redeemed in the end of the song, which prominently features some passages from the Psalm throughout.
  • In the 2003 movie Bruce Almighty, when Jim Carrey's character Bruce calls the number on his pager, the recorded voice message says they are located at 77256 23rd Street. 77256 spells out "psalm" on a phone, and with 23rd Street attached indicates Psalm 23. Incidentally, the building at this address is where Bruce meets God, played by Morgan Freeman.
  • In the song "Sunny Hours" by Long Beach Dub All Stars, a line from the 23rd Psalm is used. It reads in the song '...wandered through the valley of the shadow of the dead..." This song is used as the theme song for the friends spinoff, "Joey".
  • The Psalm is used as an inspiration behind the song Goodbye to my mama, in the film "A prairie home companion".
  • In the Woody Allen Film Love and Death, Allen's Character, Borris, Mentions the verse: "I shall walk through the valley of the shadow of death... In fact, now that I think of it, I shall run through the valley of the shadow of death, cos' you get out of the valley quicker that way".
  • In the summer of 2007, Virgin Megastores displayed large posters/wall displays in their store's gaming sections sporting the parody of Psalm 23; "Yea, I shall walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for I have three lives left".
  • Ad verbatim, The Offspring's song "Hammerhead" references a portion of Psalm 23 ("Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me"). The song was debuted in August of 2007 at the Summer Sonic Festival in Japan, and is slated to appear on the band's eighth studio album.
  • In the series Carnivale, a part of this psalm is recited by Norman and Justin in the church. "thou annointest my head with oil..."
  • In chapter 73 of The Stand, Larry utters a bit of the Psalm: "I will fear no evil, I will f--", just before the nuclear bomb detonates in Las Vegas.
  • The Camden-based rock and roll band Medicine Show reference Psalm 23 in their song 'Along The Southern Coast'. However, singer John Hail repositions the lyrics to refer to a female instead of God. "She makes me lie in Green Pastures/Along The Southern Coast/She leads me down beside quiet Waters/She restores my soul/Along The Southern Coast".
  • In 2000, Buju Banton recorded Psalm 23 in a reggae song by the same name.
  • In Chapter 87 of the complete & uncut edition of Stephen King's The Stand, Tom Cullen, who is slightly retarded, recites his version of the psalm, which includes "He gives me Kung Fu in the Face of my enemies.
  • Patti Smith wrote a poem called "ps/alm 23 revisited" published on her 1994 book Early Work.
  • Dierks Bentley mentions Psalm 23 in his song "Distant Shore".
  • Chapter 70 of Kurt Vonnegut's 1963 novel Cat's Cradle mentions the psalm when the narrator tells Julian Castle that he would like to make some money by writing and Castle suggests that he should write a book for people who are dying or are in terrible pain. When the narrator says that he might "overhaul the 'Twenty-third Psalm', switch it around a little so nobody would realize it wasn't original", Castle tells him that "Bokonon found out he couldn't change a word".
  • British power metal band DragonForce's official merchandise includes a t-shirt that reads "Though I walk through the Valley of the Damned... I don't give a fuck! 'Cos I'm into Dragonforce!"
  • Ouija Origin of Evil 2016 The Psalm was recited by Henry Thomas. The film, Unlike it's predecessor scored a 83% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Musical settings

Liturgical and classical

• Johann Sebastian Bach, Cantata No.112 Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt, BWV 112
• James Leith Macbeth Bain – hymn tune Brother James' Air
• Lennox Berkeley Op. 91, No. 1 (1975)
• Leonard Bernstein – Chichester Psalms (Hebrew, in Part 2, together with Psalm 2)
• Anton Bruckner – Psalm 22 Der Herr regieret mich WAB 34 (c. 1852)
• Noah Creshevsky - Psalm XXIII (2003)
• Paul Creston – Psalm XXIII (1945)
• Herbert Howells – Hymnus Paradisi
• Jessie Seymour Irvine – hymn tune Crimond
• Albert Hay Malotte
• Clément Marot (Latin)
• George Rochberg
• Miklós Rózsa
• Edmund Rubbra – Three Psalms, op.61 (no.2)
• John Rutter – The Lord is my Shepherd (1978), included in his Requiem (1985)
• Franz Schubert – version by Moses Mendelssohn (German)
• Randall Thompson
• Ralph Vaughan Williams
• Charles Villiers Stanford – "The Lord is my Shepherd" (1886)
• Alexander Zemlinsky Op. 14, (1910) for chorus and orchestra
• Antonín Dvořák, verses 1-4, No. 4 of his Biblical Songs (1894)
• Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach - Gam Ki Elech b'Gey Tzalmavet Lo Irah Rah Ki Atah Imadi. גם כי אלך

Songs

• 1958: Duke Ellington – "Part VI" from Black, Brown and Beige with Mahalia Jackson
• 1966: The Moody Blues - "23rd Psalm" from the album The Magnificent Moodies deLuxe Edition (not released until 2014)
• 1966: Ed Ames - "My Cup Runneth Over RCA Victor single from the Musical Production "I Do!, I Do!"
• 1972: Dave Cousins – "Lay Down" from the album Bursting at the Seams
• 1977: Dennis Brown – "Here I Come" from the album Wolf & Leopards
• 1977: Peter Tosh – "Jah Guide" from the album Equal Rights
• 1977: Pink Floyd – "Sheep" from the album Animals
• 1978: Patti Smith Group – "Privilege (Set Me Free)" from the album Easter
• 1980: The Grateful Dead – "Alabama Getaway" from the album Go to Heaven
• 1981: Venom– "Welcome To Hell" from the album Welcome To Hell
• 1982: Keith Green – "The Lord is My Shepherd" from the album Songs for the Shepherd
• 1983: Marillion – "Forgotten Sons" from the album Script for a Jester's Tear
• 1985: Judy Collins - "The Lord is my Shepherd" from the album Amazing Grace
• 1988: Diamanda Galás – "The Lord is my Shepherd" from the album You Must Be Certain of the Devil
• 1988: U2 – "Love Rescue Me" from the album Rattle and Hum
• 1989: Lil' Louis - "Blackout" from the album From The Mind Of Lil Louis
• 1990: Bobby McFerrin – "The 23rd Psalm" from the album Medicine Music
• 1993: Alpha Blondy - "Psaume 23" from the album Jerusalem
• 1993: Christian Death – Psalm (Maggot's Lair) from album Path of Sorrows
• 1993: Midnight Oil - "In the Valley" from album Earth and Sun and Moon
• 1994: Howard Goodall – theme to The Vicar of Dibley, later covered by Katherine Jenkins and The Choirboys
• 1995: Coolio feat. L.V. – "Gangsta's Paradise"
• 1995: Tupac Shakur – "So Many Tears" from the album Me Against The World
• 1996: Cissy Houston, (Whitney Houston's mother) – "The Lord is My Shepherd" from The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album
• 1997: Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.) – "You're Nobody ('Til Somebody Kills You)" from the album Life After Death
• 1998: Colin Mawby – recording with Charlotte Church
• 1999: E Nomine – "Psalm 23" from the album Das Testament
• 1999: Jonathan Elias – "Forgiveness" from the album The Prayer Cycle
• 1999: Ky-mani Marley – "Lord is My Shepherd" from the album The Journey
• 2000: Marilyn Manson – "In The Shadow Of The Valley Of Death" from the album Holy Wood
• 2001: Dan Nichols – "Psalm 23" from the album Be Strong
• 2002: Boards of Canada – "From One Source All Things" from the album Geogaddi
• 2003: Lucinda Williams – "Atonement" from the album World Without Tears
• 2004: Kanye West – "Jesus Walks" from the album The College Dropout
• 2004: Megadeth – "Shadow of Deth" from the album The System Has Failed
• 2004: OverClocked Remix – "Beneath the Surface (Aquatic Ambiance)" from Kong in Concert
• 2005: Ministry (band) - "No W (Redux)" from Rantology
• 2007: Group 1 Crew – "Forgive Me" from the album Group 1 Crew
• 2007: Dream Theater – "In The Presence Of Enemies Part 2" from the album Systematic Chaos
• 2008: Jon Foreman – "The House of God, Forever" from the EP, Summer
• 2008: The Offspring – "Hammerhead" from the album Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace
• 2009: India.Arie, MC Lyte – "Psalms 23" from the album Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics
• 2009: Rick Ross – "Valley of Death" from the album Deeper Than Rap
• 2010: Nas & Damian Marley – "Strong Will Continue" from the album Distant Relatives
• 2011: Hollywood Undead – "Hear Me Now" from the album American Tragedy
• 2013: The Black Dahlia Murder – "In Hell Is Where She Waits for Me" from the album Everblack
• 2013: Jay-Z – "Holy Grail" from the album Magna Carta Holy Grail
• 2013: Fall Out Boy - "Death Valley" from "Save Rock and Roll"

Recitation

• 2013: Australian singer songwriter Paul Kelly from the album Poems For Funerals

Media

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See also

• Lamb of God

External links

• Hebrew text, translation, transliteration, recorded melodies from The Zemirot Database
• Tehillim – Psalm 23 (Judaica Press) translation with Rashi's commentary.
• Psalm 23 recited in Hebrew