Psalm 23: the Lord is my shepherd
The psalm read most at funerals: the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Bible reference: Psalm 23
At a glance
- Length, read slowly
- About a minute
- Where it goes
- Old Testament reading · Christian funeral serviceRead by: reader or officiant
- Old Testament Scripture · Homegoing serviceRead by: officiant or reader
- Scripture reading · Celebration of lifeRead by: family or friends
Have the officiant read your choice first: they have the last word.
We don’t show modern translations here: they are protected by copyright. You can find them in your church’s Bible or on the publisher’s website. Further down this page is the text from the King James Version, which you may use freely.
Use in your programWhat this reading says
The writer pictures God as a shepherd. A shepherd keeps his sheep fed, leads them to water and brings them home. Then the road goes through a dark valley, and the writer is still not afraid, because the shepherd walks with him. God becomes a host who sets a table, fills the cup and welcomes a guest for good. The last line is a promise to stay in God's house forever.
When it fits
Pick this psalm when you are not sure what else to pick. It works for a grandmother who lived to ninety and for a friend who died too soon. Many guests will mouth the words along with the reader, which makes a room feel less alone. If your family wants a psalm with more of a journey in it, Psalm 121 looks up to the hills and follows someone out the door and back. If you want a reading that speaks to the fear of death head on, John 11 does that. What sets Psalm 23 apart is how familiar it is: nobody needs an explanation before it starts.
Reading it aloud
At a funeral service or a homegoing the pastor often reads it. At a celebration of life a grandchild or close friend can read it alone. Take it slowly, one image at a time, with a pause after "I will fear no evil." The King James Version is the one most Americans carry in memory. A newer translation turns "I shall not want" into "I lack nothing," which some readers find clearer. Put the full text in the funeral program so guests can join in.
Text from the King James Version
Psalm 23
This older translation is in the public domain in the United States, so you may print it in your program for free. A Catholic Mass reads from the lectionary, so for a Mass, paste the text your parish uses.
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 paths 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 thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Goes well with
- Psalm 121: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hillsPsalm 121The other psalm of trust, with more of a journey in it.
- John 14: in my Father's house are many roomsJohn 14:1-6The house of the Lord in the last line becomes a prepared room here.
- Crossing the BarA poem with the same calm about the crossing, for a family that wants one scripture and one poem.
In sample programs
- Example program for a Christian funeralAn example funeral program for a church service, with Psalm 23 and John 14 from the King James Version, the obituary and prayers.
- Example program for a homegoing serviceAn example homegoing program with Psalm 23 and John 14 from the King James Version, the obituary, reflections and the eulogy.