Psalm 23 is attributed to King David and describes God as a shepherd who cares for his people. As their shepherd, God provides for their needs, leads them to rest in green pastures and still waters, restores their soul, and guides them on righteous paths. Even in death's shadow, God comforts his people with his rod and staff. He prepares a table before them and anoints them with oil, showing his blessings before their enemies. God's goodness and mercy will follow his people all the days of their lives as they dwell in God's house forever.

1. Psalm 23 Presented By: Dionne Spence

2. Introduction & Background
 Most scholars agree that David (either as a
shepherd boy or as King) wrote Psalm 23.
 This Psalm is written from a point of personal
testimony ascribing honor and reverence to the
Lord.
 Psalm 23 is also a praise or prayer directly to the
Lord acknowledging all that He is doing and will do
for the author/sheep.
 Psalm 23 out lines the benefits of having a
relationship with the “Good Shepherd”
 Personal reflection, practical application, and hope
for the future are all presented in this psalm.

3. Psalm 23 (KJV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me
beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name's sake.
4 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.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine
enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth
over.
6 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.

4. Key Words
The following are words
and their
meanings/interpretation
to assist our
understanding and to
bring revelation of the
author’s point of view.

5. Lord
 Hebrew: Y@hovah
 Jehovah = "the existing One"
 the proper name of the one true God
 The author (David) makes it clear who he
is referring at the beginning of the text.

6. Shepherd Hebrew: Ra’ah
Adapted from (Smith’s Bible Name Dictionary)-
 The ancestors of the Jews in the patriarchal age were nomads
 The office of the eastern shepherd was attended with much hardship,
and even danger
 Shepherds were exposed to the extremes of heat and cold (Genesis
31:40)
 Shepherd had to encounter the attacks of wild beasts, occasionally of
the larger species, such as lions, nerves, panthers and bears
 Nor was [The Shepherd] free from the risk of robbers or predators
hordes (1 Samuel 17:34)
 Shepherds supplied the flock of sheep with water, either at a running
stream or at troughs attached to wells
 At evening [The Shepherd] brought them back to the fold, and counted
them to see that none were missing, and searched/fought for any stray.
 The shepherd's office required great watchfulness, particularly by night
 It also required tenderness toward the young and feeble, (Isaiah 40:11)
particularly in driving them to and from the pasturage

7. Soul
 Hebrew - nephesh
 Genesis 2:7 KJV- And the LORD God formed man of the dust of
the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and
man became a living soul.
 –noun 1. the principle of life, feeling, thought, and action in
humans, regarded as a distinct entity separate from the body,
and commonly held to be separable in existence from the body;
the spiritual part of humans as distinct from the physical part.
 2. the spiritual part of humans regarded in its moral aspect, or as
believed to survive death and be subject to happiness or misery
in a life to come
 the emotional part of human nature; the seat of the feelings or
sentiments
 shared ethnic awareness and pride among black people,
especially black Americans.

8. Restore
Hebrew: Shuwb
Synonyms: repay, renew, refresh, requite recompense, reward,
reactivate, mend, rebuild, reverse, reinstate (etc.)
–verb (used with object), -stored, -stor·ing.
 to bring back into existence, use, or the like; reestablish: to
restore order.
 2. to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition, as a
building, statue, or painting.
 3. to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor.
 4. to put back to a former place, or to a former position, rank,
etc.: to restore the king to his throne.
 5. to give back; make return or restitution of (anything taken
away or lost).
 6. to reproduce or reconstruct (an ancient building, extinct
animal, etc.) in the original state.

9. Leads
 Hebrew: Nahal
 Verb
 to lead, give rest, lead with care, guide to a watering place or
station, cause to rest, bring to a station or place of rest, guide,
refresh
 (Piel)
 to lead to a watering-place or station and cause to rest there
 to lead or bring to a station or goal
 to lead, guide
 to give rest to
 to refresh (with food)
 (Hithpael)
 to lead on
 to journey by stations or stages

10. Prepares
 Hebrew: `arak
 to arrange, set or put or lay in order, set in array, prepare, order,
ordain, handle, furnish, esteem, equal, direct, compare
 (Qal)
 to arrange or set or lay in order, arrange, state in order, set forth
(a legal case), set in place
 to compare, be comparable
 (Hiphil) to value, tax
 to put in proper condition or readiness
 to get (a meal) ready for eating, as by proper assembling,
cooking, etc.
 to make ready beforehand for some approaching event, need,
and the like

11. Anoints
 Hebrew: Dashen
 to be fat, grow fat, become fat, become prosperous,
anoint
 –verb (used with object) 1. to rub or sprinkle on;
apply an unguent, ointment, or oily liquid to.
 2. to smear with any liquid.
 3. to consecrate or make sacred in a ceremony that
includes the token applying of oil: He anointed the
new high priest.
 4. to dedicate to the service of God/deity.

12. The Promises of Psalm 23
 We have a “Shepherd” watching over us with great
care [to feed, guide, and shield us] AMP . V-1
 Our Shepherd will provide all that we need. V-1
 He will lead us to places of prosperity where we can
find rest. V-2
 He faithfully refreshes and restores our soul (mind,
emotions, will). V-3
 He promises by His Name to lead us down the right
path. V-3
 In the darkest circumstances (even facing death)
He will help us not to fear. V-4

13. The Promises of Psalm 23 (cont’d)
 We do not have to fear because He is with us and
He equips us with a rod (protection) and a staff
(guidance) to comfort us. V-4
 He will bless us for all to see, especially our
enemies. V-5
 He will set us aside for His use over taking us with
His Spirit. V-5
 He guarantees that goodness, mercy, and unfailing
love (AMP) will follow us all our days. V-6
 Through the length of our days the house of the
Lord [and His presence] shall be our dwelling place.
V-6