Oratio (prayer)

Lord, You are my shepherd. Send Your Holy Spirit as I pray Psalm 23 this evening, that I may rest in Your care and trust Your goodness and mercy through Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Meditatio (meditation)

Consider even rereading in another translation.

Other translations: NIV · ESV

You could also consider listening to this chapter, narrated:

KJV (Max McLean) · ESV (Max McLean) · NIV (dramatized)

The Law Like sheep, we wander. We look for green pastures of our own making, and we fear the valley ahead. The Psalm's confidence, "I shall not want" (v. 1), shows how often we live as if we lacked everything.

The Gospel Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. "He restoreth my soul" (v. 3). "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies" (v. 5), and He feeds you with His own body and blood. For all His saints He makes this promise true: "I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever" (v. 6).

Prayer Lord, I confess that I have wandered and worried as if You were not my shepherd. Forgive me for Jesus' sake. Restore my soul, and lead me in Your paths. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Tentatio (trial)

Night can bring thoughts of death and of those we have lost. The Psalm walks right into that valley: "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me" (v. 4). Under trial it may help to pray this verse slowly. The saints who have died in Christ walked through that valley with Him, and now they are home.

Evening prayer Good Shepherd, as I lie down tonight, be with me. Let Your goodness and mercy follow me, and bring me at last to dwell in Your house for ever with all Your saints. In Jesus' name, Amen.