The Lord Is My Shepherd
Probably the best-known of the one hundred fifty psalms is the twenty-third. It is probably best-known as it appears in the King James Version. This comparison is not a critical analysis, but a collection of the various renditions from twenty-nine versions. Some not listed are very much like that of the King James Version.
Whether any one of these is the best is the personal opinion of the reader. I am not claiming which one is best, or if any one is not as good as any other version. I want to show how the various translators have rendered this psalm. Perhaps the reader will see one that he has never seen before, but which he particulary likes.
Versions Compared
- AB - Amplified Bible
- CEV - Contemporary English Version
- EBR - The Emphasized Bible
- EVD - English Version for the Deaf
- GW - God's Word
- HBME - The Holy Bible in Modern English
- KJV - King James Version
- KTC - Knox Translation
- LB - Living Bible
- LXX - The Septuagint
- MNT - Moffatt New Translation
- NAB - New American Bible
- NCV - New Century Version
- NEB - New English Bible
- NJB - New Jerusalem Bible
- NJPS - New JPS Version
- NLT - New Living Translation
- NLV - New Life Version
- NSNT - Norlie's Simplified New Testament
- NWT - New World Translation
- REB - Revised English Bible
- SGAT - An American Translation (Smith-Goodspeed)
- SSBE - The Sacred Scriptures, Bethel Edition
- TBR - The Bible Reader
- TEV - Today's English Version
- TJB - The Jerusalem Bible
- TM - The Message
- WMF - The Word Made Fresh
- YLR - Young's Literal Translation, Revised Edition
Psalm 23
AB - Amplified Bible
THE LORD is my shepherd [to feed, guide and shield me]; I shall not lack.
He makes me lie down in (fresh, tender) green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
He refreshes and restores my life -- my self; He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him -- not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake.
Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil; for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.
Surely or only goodness, mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life; and through the length of days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.
CEV - Contemporary English Version
You, Lord, are my shepherd.
I will never be in need.
You let me rest in fields
of green grass.
You lead me to streams
of peaceful water,
and you refresh my life.
You are true to your name,
and you lead me
along the right paths.
I may walk through valleys
as dark as death,
but I won't be afraid.
You are with me,
and your shepherd's rod
makes me feel safe.
You treat me to a feast,
while my enemies watch.
You honor me as a guest,
and you fill my cup
until it overflows.
Your kindness and love
will always be with me
each day of my life,
and I will live forever
in your house, LORD.
EBR - The Emphasized Bible
Yahweh is my shepherd -- I shall not want:
In pastures of tender grass he maketh me lie
down,
Unto restful waters he leadeth me;
My life he restoreth,
He guideth me in right
paths for the sake of his Name.
Yea, though I walk through a valley death-shadowed
I will
fear no harm for thou art with me,
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou spreadest before me a table in face of mine adversaries,
Thou hast anointed with oil
my head,
My cup hath run over.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will pursue me all the days of my life,
And I shall
dwell in the house of Yahweh evermore.
EVD - English Version for the Deaf
The Lord is my shepherd.
I will always have everything I need.
He lets me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me by calm pools of water.
He gives new strength to my soul
for the good of his name.
He leads me on paths of goodness,
to show he is truly good.
Even if I walk through a valley as dark as the grave,
I will not be afraid of any danger.
Why? Because you are with me, Lord.
Your rod and staff comfort me.
Lord, you prepared my table
in front of my enemies.
You poured oil on my head.
My cup is full and spilling over.
Goodness and mercy will be with me the rest of my life
And I will sit in the Lord's temple for a long, long time.
GW - God's Word
The LORD is my shepherd.
I am never in need.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside peaceful waters.
He renews my soul.
He guides me along the paths of righteousness
for the sake of his name.
Even though I walk through the dark valley of death,
because you are with me, I fear no harm.
Your rod and your staff give me courage.You prepare a banquet for me while my enemies watch.
You anoint my head with oil.
My cup overflows.
Certainly, goodness and mercy will stay close to me all the days of my life,
and I will remain in the LORD's house for days without end.
HBME - The Holy Bible in Modern English
My LORD attends; -- I shall not want; --
He lets me rest in verdant fields,
He leads me by the pleasant brooks,
He brings me back, my life refreshed,
To skip with joy, and praise His Name.
Though I may walk through Death's dark Vale,
I fear no hurt, for You are there,
Your rod and staff direct my way.
You spread my board before my foes,
With flowing cup have oiled my head.
Kindness and mercy follow me,
On every day I live;
And in the LORD's house I shall dwell,
To lengthen out my days.
KJV - King James Version
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.
KTC - Knox Translation
The Lord is my shepherd; how can I lack anything? He gives me a resting-place where there is pasture, and leads me out by cool waters, to make me live anew. As in honour pledged, by sure paths he leads me; what though I walk with the shadow of death all around me? Hurt I fear none, while thou art with me; thy rod, thy crook are my comfort. What though my enemies trouble me? Full in their view thou does spread a banquet before me; richly thou dost anoint my head with oil, generous the cup that steals away my senses! All my life thy goodnesss pursues me; through the long years, the Lord's house shall be my dwelling-place.
LB - Living Bible
Because the LORD is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!
He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He restores my failing health. He helps me do what honors him the most.
Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.
You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies. You have welcomed me as your guest; blessings overflow!
Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life, and afterwards I will live with you forever in your home.
LXX - The Septuagint
The Lord tends me as a shepherd, and I shall want nothing. In a place of green grass, there he has made me dwell: he has nourished me by the water of rest. He has restored my soul: he has guided me into the paths of righteousness, for his name's sake. Yea, even if I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of evils: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, these have comforted me. Thou hast prepared a table before me in presence of them that afflict me: thou hast thoroughly anointed my head with oil; and thy cup cheers me like the best wine. Thy mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and my dwelling shall be in the house of the Lord for a very long time.
MNT - Moffatt New Translation
The Eternal shepherds me, I lack for nothing;
he makes me lie in meadows green,
he leads me to refreshing streams,
he revives life in me.
He guides me by true paths,
as he himself is true.
My road may run through a glen of gloom,
but I fear no harm, for thou art beside me;
thy club, thy staff -- they give me courage.
Thou art my host, spreading a feast for me,
while my foes have to look on!
Thou hast poured oil upon my head,
my cup is brimming over;
yes, and all through my life
Goodness and Kindness wait on me,
the Eternal's guest
within his household evermore.
NAB - New American Bible
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
NCV - New Century Version
The LORD is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green pastures.
He leads me to calm water.
He gives me new strength.
He leads me on paths that are right
for the good of his name.
Even if I walk through a very dark valley,
I will not be afraid,
because you are with me.
Your rod and your walking stick comfort me.
You prepare a meal for me
in front of my enemies.
You pour oil on my head;
you fill my cup to overflowing.
Surely your goodness and love will be with me
all my life,
and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.
NEB - New English Bible
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall want nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
and leads me beside the waters of peace;
he renews life within me,
and for his name's sake guides me in the right path.
Even though I walk through a valley dark as death
I fear no evil, for thou art with me,
thy rod and thy crook are my comfort.
Thou spreadest a table for me in the sight of my enemies;
thou hast richly bathed my head with oil,
and my cup runs over.
Goodness and love unfailing, these will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
my whole life long.
NJB - New Jerusalem Bible
Yahweh is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
In grassy meadows he lets me lie.
By tranquil streams he leads me
to restore my spirit.
He guides me in paths of saving justice
as
befits his name.
Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark as death
I should fear no danger, for you are at my side.
Your staff and your crook are there to soothe me.
You prepare a table for me
under the eyes of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup brims over.
Kindness and faithful love pursue me
every day of my life.
I make my home in the house of Yahweh
for all time to come.
NJPS - New JPS Version
The LORD is my shepherd:
I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me to water in places of repose;
He renews my life;
He guides me in right paths
as befits His name.
Thou I walk through a valley of deepest darkness,
I fear no harm, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff -- they comfort me.
You spread a table for me in full view of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my drink is abundant.
Only goodness and steadfast love shall pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for many long years.
NLT - New Living Translation
The LORD is my shepherd:
I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the dark valley of death,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You welcome me as a guest,
anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.
NLV - New Life Version
The Lord is my Shepherd. I will have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass. He leads me beside the quiet waters. He makes me stong again. He leads me in the way of living right with Himself which brings honor to His name.
Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me. You have a walking stick with which to guide and one with which to help. These comfort me.
You are making a table of food ready for me in front of those who hate me. You have poured oil on my head. I have everything I need. For sure, You will give me goodness and loving-kindness all the days of my life. Then I will live with You in Your house forever.
NSNT - Norlie's Simplified New Testament
The Lord shepherds me,
I shall never be in need.
In green meadows He finds me a resting-place;
He leads me to refreshing waters.
He gives me renewed life,
He guides me along a virtuous course
in accordance with His nature.
Even though I have to cross the darkest valley
I will not be afraid of any harm,
for You are with me:
Your strength and support are indeed my comfort.
You prepare food for me, while my enemies look on;
You anoint my head with oil,
my misfortunes prosper greatly.
Goodness and love alone will accompany me through life,
and I shall live in the house of the Lord all my days.
NWT - New World Translation
Jehovah is my Shepherd.
I shall lack nothing.
In grassy pastures he makes me lie down;
By well-watered resting-places he conducts me.
My soul he refreshes.
He leads me in the tracks of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the valley of deep shadow,
I fear nothing bad,
For you are with me;
Your rod and your staff are the things that comfort me.
You arrange before me a table in front of those showing hostility to me.
With oil you have greased my head;
My cup is well filled.
Surely goodness and loving-kindness themselves will pursue me all the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of Jehovah to the length of days.
REB - Revised English Bible
The LORD is my shepherd; I lack for nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me to water where I may rest;
he revives my spirit;
for his name's sake he guides me in the right paths.
Even were I to walk through a valley of deepest darkness
I should fear no harm, for you are with me;
your shepherd's staff and crook afford me comfort.
You spread a table for me in the presence of my enemies;
you have richly anointed my head with oil,
and my cup brims over.
Goodness and love unfailing will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
throughout the years to come.
SGAT - An American Translation (Smith-Goodspeed)
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want;
In green meadows he makes me lie down;
To refreshing waters he leads me.
He gives me new life.
He guides me in safe paths, for his fame's sake.
Even though I walk in the darkest valley,
I will fear no harm; for thou art with me.
Thy rod and thy staff -- they comfort me.
Thou layest a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Only goodness and grace shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD down to old age.
SSBE - The Sacred Scriptures, Bethel Edition
Yahweh is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul:
He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies:
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of Yahweh forever.
TBR - The Bible Reader
(Indian Version)
The Great Father above a Shepherd Chief is, I am His and with Him I want not.
He throws out to me a rope, and the name of the rope is Love, and He draws me, and He draws me, and He draws me to where the grass is green and the water not dangerous, and I eat and lie down satisfied.
Sometimes my heart is very weak and falls down, but He lifts it up again and draws me into a good road. His name is wonderful.
Sometime, it may be very soon, it may be longer, it may be long, long time, He will draw me into a place between mountains. It is dark there, but I'll draw back not, I'll be afraid not, for it is in there between those mountains that the Shepherd Chief wills me, and the hunger I have felt in my heart all through this life will be satisfied. Sometimes He makes the rope into a whip, but afterwards He give me a staff to lean on.
He spreads a table before me with all kinds of food. He puts His hand upon my head, and all the "tired" is gone. My cup He fills till it runs over.
What I tell you is true. I lie not. These roads that are "away ahead" will stay with me through this life, and afterward I will go to live in the "Big Tepee" and sit down with the Shepherd Chief forever.
TEV - Today's English Version
The LORD is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in field s of green grass
and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.
He gives me new strength.
He guides me in the right paths,
as he has promised.
Even if I go through the deepest darkness,
I will not be afraid, LORD,
for you are with me.
Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me.
You prepare a banquet for me,
where all my enemies can see me;
you welcome me as an honored guest
and fill my cup to the brim.
I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life;
and your house will be my home as long as I live.
TJB - The Jerusalem Bible
Yahweh is my shepherd.
I lack nothing.
In meadows of green grass he lets me lie.
To the waters of repose he leads me;
there he revives my soul.
He guides me by paths of virtue
for the sake of his name.
Though I pass through a gloomy valley,
I fear no harm;
beside me your rod and your staff
are there, to hearten me.
You prepare a table before me
under the eyes of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil,
my cup brims over.
Ah, how goodness and kindness pursue me,
every day of my life;
my home, the house of Yahweh,
as long as I live!
TM - The Message
GOD, my shepherd!
I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I'm not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook
makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of GOD
for the rest of my life.
WMF - The Word Made Fresh
The Lord is like a shepherd to me. I never need anything. God leads me by still waters for drinking and refreshment, he guides me along a good path in order that I might honor the name of the Lord. Though I face death or uncertainty I am without fear, for God is with me, he is ready to protect, I am at ease so that I can eat without worrying and I have a full life. I am respected, and I find goodness and mercy around me all the days of my life and I look forward to dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.
YLR - Young's Literal Translation, Revised Edition
Jehovah is my shepherd, I do not lack,
In pastures of tender grass He causes me to lie down,
By quiet waters He doth lead me.
My soul He restoreth,
He leadeth me in paths of righteousness,
For His name's sake,
Also -- when I walk in a valley of deathshade,
I fear no evil, for Thou art with me,
Thy rod and Thy staff -- they comfort me.
Thou arrangest before me a table,
Over-against my adversaries,
Thou hast anointed with oil my head,
My cup is full!
Only -- goodness and kindness pursue me,
All the days of my life,
And my dwelling is in the house of Jehovah,
For a length of days!
