Psalm 23 (Psalm 22 in the Septuagint numbering), sometimes known as the Shepherd Psalm because of its opening line, "The Lord is my shepherd," is the best-known psalm, and perhaps the best-known chapter in the Bible.

The theme of this poem casts God in the role of protector and provider, and is routinely read and recited by Jews and Christians alike. For Christians, the "Lord" referred to in the first line could also be Jesus, who referred to himself as the "good shepherd" in the Gospel of John.

As commonly translated

"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 path 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

- King James Version

In Jewish worship

Sung in the original Hebrew, this psalm is a common song for Jews at the third Shabbat meal on Saturday afternoon. It is also sung during the Yizkor service.

In Christian worship

Orthodox Christians typically include it in the prayers of preparation for receiving the Eucharist. It is also a popular passage to memorize, for those who choose to memorize selected portions of the Bible.

Psalm 23 was set in meter as part of the Scottish Psalter shortly after the Reformation. It is in that form that it is most popularly encountered in Protestant Churches and common culture to the present day. Traditionally, the metrical psalm is set to the tune 'Crimond' (although other tunes such as Brother James' Air are also popular).

Because of its message of comfort and protection, as well as the fact that its tunes are so well known, Psalm 23 is a staple element of funeral services.

Many composers have set the psalm to music, including Schubert, Stanford and Howells

Vincent Salamoni, a Roman Catholic U.S. Navy chaplain, wrote a U.S. Marine Corps version of the Psalm that begins "The Lord is my Supreme Commandant .."

Similarities to Egyptian mythology

Psalm 23 when examined and compared is very (almost copied) similar to a hymn sung to Osiris, a pagan saviour-figure in ancient Egyptian mythology which preachings and life in many senses is similar to that of the Christian saviour-figure Jesus.The original hymn appealed to Osiris, the Good Shepherd to lead those who have died to the "green pastures" and the "still waters" of the nefer-nefer land, Osiris was to restore the soul to the body and give protection in the "valley of the shadow of death".When sung in connection to a prayer, the preyer began with "O'Amen, O'Amen, who are in heaven" and also ended with "Amen" as the end of every prayer.

In Popular Culture

• A parody of this psalm is used in the song Sheep by Pink Floyd from the album Animals.
• This psalm makes up part of the lyrics to The Grateful Dead's "Ripple" from their album American Beauty.
• This psalm makes up part of the lyrics to Megadeth's "Shadow of Deth" from their album The System Has Failed.
• This psalm (in Hebrew) makes up part of the lyrics to Orphaned Land's "Aldiar Al Mukadisa" from their album "Sahara".
• The psalm also makes up the first line in a song by the rap artist Coolio entitled "Gangsta's Paradise".
• Further this psalm makes up part of the lyrics in the hit song "Jesus Walks" by the rap artist Kanye West.
• An episode of the television series Lost that aired on January 11, 2006 is titled "The 23rd Psalm". The psalm is recited during the episode at a funeral service, though incorrectly as 'I walk through the shadow of the valley of death.'
• The psalm, in Hebrew, is part of Bernstein's Chichester Psalms
• In the film "The Elephant Man" the title character recites the psalm revealing for the first time that he is an educated and sensitive person.
• U2's song "Love Rescue Me" from the album "Rattle and Hum" includes the lyrics "Yea, though I walk In the valley of the shadow, Yea, I will fear no evil. I have cursed thy rod and staff, They no longer comfort me, Love rescue me"

Psalm 23 Salme 23