Most treatments of Psalm 23 never mention its most interesting fact: the sheep imagery does not reach the end. Map the poem before you read it.
Shepherd vv. 1–4
Host vv. 5–6
Psalm 23:1–4 · New International Version The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:5–6 · New International Version You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Read them as two panels and the change is unmissable: sheep are not seated at tables or
anointed with oil. Matthew Henry's edition heads the passage The Divine Shepherd
, and
his exposition tracks both halves — the field and the house — as one continuous account of
care. How the poem is built · what the opening
claim asserts · what happens at the table.
At gravesides and hospital beds this psalm is usually recited in the King James wording, so this site serves that rendering in full alongside the modern text:
Psalm 23:1–6 · 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.