詩sal 23は、神の保護と彼の民の世話の保証から始まります。「主は私の羊飼いです、私は望んでいません。」その後、彼は神が彼らのすべてのニーズをどのように提供するかを説明し続けています。次の2つの節は、神は状況に関係なく常に彼の民と一緒にいることを強調しています。「彼は私を彼の名前のために義の道に導きます。あなたが私と一緒にいるからです。あなたのロッドとあなたのスタッフ、彼らは私を慰めます。」詩編は、神の善の宣言と彼の人々の生活における彼の永遠の存在で終わります。「あなたは私の敵の前で私の前にテーブルを準備します。私の人生のすべての日に私に従ってください、そして私は永遠に主の家に住みます。」
Psalm 23 begins with God's assurance of protection and care for his people: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." He then goes on to describe how God provides for all their needs: "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul." The next two verses emphasize that God is always with His people, no matter the circumstance: "He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." The psalm ends with a declaration of God's goodness and His eternal presence in the life of His people: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."