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The Twenty-Third Psalm

Psalms 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

            A very key passage of Scripture this year is the 23rd Psalm. We must commit this Psalm to memory and use it during times of prayer. Psalm 23 is perhaps the most popular and beloved of all the Psalms. David, who was a shepherd, writes about God’s protection, provision, refreshment, abundant blessing and promise of eternal life to those who love him.


            Charles Haddon Spurgeon calls it “the pearl of the Psalms.” Francis Dixon says, “This psalm is undoubtedly one of the best-loved passages in the Bible. Whoever we are, wherever we are, and whatever circumstances we are in, it has its message for us.”[1]


There are at least 14 promises in this Psalm. They are as follows:


1.    “The Lord is my Shepherd” – Relationship 

2.    “I shall not want” – Resources

3.    “He makes me to lie down in green pastures”– Rest

4.    “He leads me beside the still waters” – Refreshing 

5.    “He restores my soul” – Restoration

6.    “He leads in paths of righteousness” – Right Direction 

7.    “For His names sake” – Resolve 

8.    “You are with me” – Reward 

9.    “Your rod and your staff they comfort me” – The rod of power and the register of history.

10.         “You prepare a table in the presence of my enemies” – Retribution 

11.         “You anoint my head with oil” – Reverence 

12.         “My cup runs over” – Riches

13.         “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” – Recompense

14.         “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” – Refuge


The 23rd Psalm is filled with revelation. We can prayerfully claim each of these promises as our own. 



[1] https://www.wordsoflife.co.uk/bible-studies/study-4-the-sweetest-psalm-of-all/

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