Psalm 23 amplified.

 Psalm 23 Amplified

The Lord is my Shepherd—I shall not want.

He leads me away from the edge of the precipice where fear would taunt.

He is the Good Shepherd who knows my name,

Who guides me with love and protects me from shame.

Because He is mine and I am His,

Every need is met, every fear dismissed.

The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. (Psalm 23:1, AMP)

He makes me lie down in green pastures—not just to rest,

But to feast on His goodness, to know I am blessed.

In the abundance of His provision, I find my peace,

My striving ceases, my anxieties cease.

He prepares a table before me, a banquet of grace,

And invites me to rest in His holy place.

He leads me beside still waters—the quiet, the calm,

Where the noise of the world cannot do me harm.

He restores my soul, He revives my heart,

Healing the broken and weary parts.

When I am depleted, when I have no strength,

He renews my spirit and restores me at length.

He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake. (Psalm 23:3, AMP)

He leads me in paths of righteousness—not for my name,

But for His own glory, to honor His fame.

He guides my steps in the way I should go,

Through wisdom and counsel that only He can bestow.

And when I wander, He gently brings me back,

Setting my feet on the righteous track.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death—

The darkest valley, the deepest breath,

Where loss and sorrow press all around,

And hope seems lost, and light cannot be found—

I will fear no evil, for You are with me there.

Your presence is the light that cuts through despair.

Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me. (Psalm 23:4, AMP)

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me—

The rod that defends, the staff that guides tenderly.

In Your strength, I am safe; in Your care, I am led.

Though dangers surround me, I have nothing to dread.

You discipline in love, You correct with grace,

And I find my refuge in Your warm embrace.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies—

A feast of abundance, a sign of release.

While my foes look on, helpless to touch,

You bless me with goodness, You give me so much.

My cup overflows, it cannot contain

The blessings You pour out like healing rain.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil; My cup overflows. (Psalm 23:5, AMP)

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life—

Not just as companions, but as gifts through the strife.

They chase me down, they pursue me with love,

They surround me with blessings from the Father above.

And when my journey on earth is complete,

I will dwell in His house—a forever retreat.

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever—

Not for a season, not for a time,

But eternally His, in love's perfect rhyme.

In the presence of God, my Shepherd and King,

My soul will forever rejoice and sing.

Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord. (Psalm 23:6, AMP)

This is my portion, this is my peace.

My Shepherd, my Rest, my great Release.

The Lord is mine, and I am His—

And in this truth, I find my bliss.

Amen.