Psalm 23 (Hebrew numbering) corresponds to Psalm 22 in the Latin Vulgate.
It is perhaps the most loved of all psalms — the Shepherd Psalm — a serene expression of trust, guidance, and divine care.
(= Psalm 23 in Hebrew numbering)
Dominus regit me, et nihil mihi deerit
1. Dominus regit me, et nihil mihi deerit:
The Lord shepherds me, and nothing shall be lacking to me.
Word Notes
- Dominus, -ī (m.) – Lord, Master
- regō, -ere, rēxī, rēctum – to rule, guide, direct; here “to shepherd”
- nihil – nothing
- mihi – to me (dat. of ego)
- dēsum, dēesse, dēfuī – to be lacking, fail
2. In loco pascuæ ibi me collocavit:
In a place of pasture he has set me down there.
Word Notes
- locus, -ī (m.) – place, spot
- pāscua, -ae (f.) – pasture, feeding ground
- collocō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to place, set, settle
3. Super aquam refectionis educavit me:
He has led me beside the water of refreshment.
Word Notes
- aqua, -ae (f.) – water
- refectiō, -ōnis (f.) – refreshment, restoration
- ēdūcō, -ere, -xī, -ctum – to lead out, bring forth
4. Animam meam convertit:
He restores my soul.
Word Notes
- anima, -ae (f.) – soul, life
- convertō, -ere, -vertī, -versum – to turn back, restore
5. Deduxit me super semitas justitiæ propter nomen suum.
He has led me in the paths of righteousness, for his name’s sake.
Word Notes
- dēdūcō, -ere, -xī, -ctum – to lead, guide
- semita, -ae (f.) – path, track
- iustitia, -ae (f.) – righteousness, justice
- propter (+ acc.) – because of, for the sake of
- nōmen, -inis (n.) – name
6. Nam et si ambulavero in medio umbræ mortis, non timebo mala, quoniam tu mecum es.
For even if I shall walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for you are with me.
Word Notes
- nam et si – for even if
- ambulō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to walk
- umbra, -ae (f.) – shadow
- mors, mortis (f.) – death
- timeō, -ēre, -uī – to fear
- malum, -ī (n.) – evil, harm
- quoniam – because, for
- mecum – with me (cum me)
7. Virga tua et baculus tuus, ipsa me consolata sunt.
Your rod and your staff, they have comforted me.
Word Notes
- virga, -ae (f.) – rod, stick
- baculus, -ī (m.) – staff, walking stick
- ipse, ipsa, ipsum – they themselves
- cōnsōlor, -ārī, -ātus sum – to comfort, console
8. Parasti in conspectu meo mensam adversus eos qui tribulant me:
You have prepared a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me.
Word Notes
- parō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to prepare
- cōnspectus, -ūs (m.) – sight, presence
- mēnsa, -ae (f.) – table, meal
- adversus (+ acc.) – against, before
- tribulō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to afflict, trouble
9. Impinguasti in oleo caput meum:
You have anointed my head with oil.
Word Notes
- impinguō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to make fat, enrich, anoint
- oleum, -ī (n.) – oil
- caput, -itis (n.) – head
10. Et calix meus inebrians, quam præclarus est!
And my cup, overflowing — how glorious it is!
Word Notes
- calix, -icis (m.) – cup
- inebriō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to make drunk, overflow
- praeclārus, -a, -um – splendid, glorious
11. Et misericordia tua subsequetur me omnibus diebus vitæ meæ:
And your mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
Word Notes
- misericordia, -ae (f.) – mercy, compassion
- subsequor, -ī, -secūtus sum – to follow after
- omnis, -e – every, all
- diēs, -ēī (f.) – day
- vita, -ae (f.) – life
12. Et ut inhabitem in domo Domini in longitudinem dierum.
And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord for length of days.
Word Notes
- inhabitō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to dwell in
- domus, -ūs (f.) – house, dwelling
- Dominus, -ī (m.) – Lord
- longitūdō, -inis (f.) – length
- diēs, -ēī (f.) – day
This psalm, brief yet complete, forms a perfect meditation on trust, serenity, and divine guidance — a spiritual journey from pasture to eternal home.