Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 23. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/WrestlingWithTheBasics.
We are like lost sheep who need a Shepherd. David’s words remind us all that the LORD gives: daily needs, righteousness, peace, comfort, goodness, mercy, restoration, and all that we need to support this body and life. This psalm is a great comfort in all stages of life. He not only has compassion on us as sheep, BUT He treats us as royalty by preparing a place at the King’s table. Our LORD, the fullness of goodness and mercy, will be with us through everything with a steadfast, compassionate love that we fully see by His cross. Alleluia! “The King of Love my shepherd is, Whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am His, and HE is mine forever” (Lutheran Service Book 709, “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”).
Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.
Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.
Psalm 23
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
- Psalm 23:2 Hebrew beside waters of rest
- Psalm 23:3 Or in right paths
- Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness
- Psalm 23:6 Or Only
- Psalm 23:6 Or steadfast love
- Psalm 23:6 Or shall return to dwell
- 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. esv.org
