Psalm 23
The Shepherd Psalm — the most beloved prayer of comfort in scripture.
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.
Amen.
About this prayer
Written by David, probably during a time when his own life as a shepherd was still close at hand, Psalm 23 is the prayer the church reaches for in grief, in hospitals, at funerals, and in any hour when the way ahead is dark. Its quiet claim — that we are not walking alone, that even the valley of the shadow has a Shepherd in it — has carried more grieving people than any other six verses ever written.
When to pray it
When you are afraid. When someone you love is sick. When you cannot sleep. When you feel alone.