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On February 18, 2020 my father (Dwight Clements) charged Pam and I (Greg Clements) to share the 23rd Psalm with our children. We were visiting him in his apartment in Lincoln and talking about spiritual things and remembering the faith of his wife (Marjory Clements) who passed away from Earth and into heaven on December 27, 2019. He said the 23rd Psalm from memory to us. I am creating this document that you might be blessed by reading the 23rd Psalm in three translations. I memorized it in the King James version while I was growing up. I use more modern translations now and thought it would be good to include the English Standard Version and New English Translations. I used biblegateway.com to find the 23rd Psalm in the various versions.
Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)
23 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.
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
Psalm 23 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Lord Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.[a] 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness[b] for his name's sake. 4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the Lord forever.[g]
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 23:2 Hebrew beside waters of rest
b. Psalm 23:3 Or in right paths
c. Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness
d. Psalm 23:6 Or Only
e. Psalm 23:6 Or steadfast love
f. Psalm 23:6 Or shall return to dwell
g. Psalm 23:6 Hebrew for length of days
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Psalm 23 New English Translation (NET Bible)
Psalm 23[a] A psalm of David. 23 The Lord is my shepherd,[b] I lack nothing.[c] 2 He takes me to lush pastures,[d] he leads me to refreshing water.[e] 3 He restores my strength.[f] He leads me down[g] the right paths[h] for the sake of his reputation.[i] 4 Even when I must walk through the darkest valley,[j] I fear[k] no danger,[l] for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me.[m] 5 You prepare a feast before me[n] in plain sight of my enemies. You refresh[o] my head with oil; my cup is completely full.[p] 6 Surely your goodness and faithfulness[q] will pursue[r] me all my days,[s] and I will live in[t] the Lord’s house[u] for the rest of my life.[v]
New English Translation (NET) (I did not copy the footnotes.)
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