Psalm 23–25

The Our Shepherd^m

23 The Lord is my shepherd;

I have everything I need.

^2*He lets me rest in fields of green grass

and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.

³He gives me new strength.

He guides me in the right paths,

as he has promised.

⁴Even if I go through the deepest darkness,

I will not be afraid, Lord,

for you are with me.

Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.

⁵You prepare a banquet for me,

where all my enemies can see me;

you welcome me as an honoured guest

and fill my cup to the brim.

⁶I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life;

and your house will be my home as long as I live.

The Great Kingⁿ

24^* The world and all that is in it belong to the Lord;

the earth and all who live on it are his.

²He built it on the deep waters beneath the earth

and laid its foundations in the ocean depths.

³Who has the right to go up the Lord’s hill?^o

Who may enter his holy Temple?

^4*Those who are pure in act and in thought,

who do not worship idols

or make false promises.

⁵The Lord will bless them and save them;

God will declare them innocent.

⁶Such are the people

who come to God, who come into the presence of the God of Jacob.

⁷Fling wide the gates,

open the ancient doors,

and the great king will come in.

⁸Who is this great king?

He is the Lord, strong and mighty,

the Lord, victorious in battle.

⁹Fling wide the gates,

open the ancient doors,

and the great king will come in.

¹⁰Who is this great king?

The triumphant Lord—he is the great king!

A Prayer for Guidance and Protection^p

25 To you, O Lord, I offer my prayer;

²in you, my God, I trust.

Save me from the shame of defeat;

don’t let my enemies gloat over me!

³Defeat does not come to those who trust in you,

but to those who are quick to rebel against you.

⁴Teach me your ways, O Lord;

make them known to me.

⁵Teach me to live according to your truth,

for you are my God, who saves me.

I always trust in you.

⁶Remember, O Lord, your kindness and constant love

which you have shown from long ago.

⁷Forgive the sins and errors of my youth.

In your constant love and goodness, remember me, Lord!

⁸Because the Lord is righteous and good,

he teaches sinners the path they should follow.

⁹He leads the humble in the right way

and teaches them his will.

¹⁰With faithfulness and love he leads

all who keep his covenant and obey his commands.

¹¹Keep your promise, Lord, and forgive my sins,

for they are many.

¹²Those who have reverence for the Lord

will learn from him the path they should follow.

¹³They will always be prosperous,

and their children will possess the land.

¹⁴The Lord is the friend of those who obey him

and he affirms his covenant with them.

¹⁵I look to the Lord for help at all times,

and he rescues me from danger.

¹⁶Turn to me, Lord, and be merciful to me,

because I am lonely and weak.

¹⁷Relieve me of my worries

and save me from all my troubles.

¹⁸Consider my distress and suffering

and forgive all my sins.

¹⁹See how many enemies I have;

see how much they hate me.

²⁰Protect me and save me;

keep me from defeat.

I come to you for safety.

²¹May my goodness and honesty preserve me,

because I trust in you.

²²From all their troubles, O God,

save your people Israel!