The big picture
Psalms 23 opens in verse 1 with “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 3 with “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”, and closes in verse 6 with “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in…” Repeated or prominent terms include leadeth, LORD, anointest, comfort, days. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 6Psalms 23:1-6
1–6: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalms 23:1–6 opens with “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” and reaches “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on A shepherd guiding sheep through green pasture, dark ravine, danger, and a place of provision, with particular weight carried by leadeth, LORD, anointest.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Psalms 23:1-6
King James Version1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4Yea, 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.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 23:1 begins with “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 23:3 forms a natural hinge: “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
The final note
Psalms 23:6 leaves the reader with “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.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words leadeth, LORD, anointest, comfort, days, death help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Why repeat the details of the property?
The description establishes a recognized, witnessed holding for the family.
How do grief and promise coexist?
Abraham mourns fully while securing a burial place in the land associated with the promise.
KJV words made clear
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.