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Psalm 23 ('''Psalm 22''' in the Septuagint numbering), sometimes known as the '''Shepherd Psalm''' because of its opening line, "The Lord is my Shepherd ," is the best-known Psalm , and perhaps the best-known chapter in the Bible .

The theme of this poem casts God in the role of protector and provider, and is routinely read and recited by Jew s and Christian s alike. For Christians, the "Lord" referred is sometimes taken to be Jesus , who referred to himself as the "good shepherd" according to the Gospel Of John .

It has been set to music a number of times, particularly by hymn writers.


As commonly translated

"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 path 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."

''- King James Version ''


In Jewish worship

Sung in the original Hebrew , this Psalm is a common song for Jew s at the third Shabbat meal on Saturday afternoon. It is also sung during the Yizkor service.


In Christian worship

Orthodox Christian s typically include it in the prayers of preparation for receiving the Eucharist . It is also a popular passage to memorize, for those who choose to memorize selected portions of the Bible.

Psalm 23 was set in meter as part of the Scottish Psalter shortly after the Reformation . It is in that form that it is most popularly encountered in Protestant Churches and common culture to the present day. Traditionally, the metrical psalm is set to the tune 'Crimond' (although other tunes such as Brother James' Air are also popular).

Because of its message of comfort and protection, as well as the fact that its tunes are so well known, Psalm 23 is a staple element of Funeral services.

Many composers have set the psalm to music, including Schubert , Stanford and Howells (included as part of his Requiem). A recent contemporary setting was made by composer Howard Goodall for the British television series '' The Vicar Of Dibley ''. Goodall's melody is now regularly performed in many English churches.

Vincent Salamoni, a Roman Catholic U.S. Navy chaplain, wrote a U.S. Marine Corps version of the Psalm that begins "The Lord is my Supreme Commandant...."


Alleged similarities to Egyptian mythology

Certain scholars have suggested that there is similarity between Psalm 23 and an ancient hymn sung to Osiris , a saviour-figure in ancient Egyptian Mythology . This hymn appealed to Osiris as the Good Shepherd, to lead those who have died to the "green pastures" and the "still waters" of the nefer-nefer land, Osiris was to restore the soul to the body and give protection in the "valley of the shadow of death". In connection with a prayer the Osiris hymn began with "O'Amen, O'Amen, who are in heaven" and ended with "Amen".


IN POPULAR CULTURE

  • A Parody of this psalm is used in the song " Sheep " by Pink Floyd from the album '' Animals ''.

  • This psalm makes up part of the lyrics to The Grateful Dead's "Ripple" from their album '' American Beauty ''.

  • This psalm makes up part of the lyrics to Megadeth's "Shadow of Deth" from their album '' The System Has Failed ''.

  • This psalm (in Hebrew ) makes up part of the lyrics to Orphaned Land's "Aldiar Al Mukadisa" from their album "Sahara".

  • This psalm makes up the lyrics to "Vater Unser", or "Lord's Prayer", by E Nomine from their debut album Das Testament , as well as the single Vater Unser .

  • The psalm also makes up the first line in a song by the Rap artist Coolio entitled " Gangsta's Paradise ".

  • Further this psalm makes up part of the lyrics in the hit song " Jesus Walks " by the Rap artist Kanye West .

  • An episode of the television series Lost that aired on January 11, 2006 is titled " The 23rd Psalm ". The characters Mr. Eko and Charlie recite the psalm together (as "I walk through the shadow of the valley of death.") after discovering an airplane that Eko's brother crashed in.

  • The psalm, in Hebrew, is part of Bernstein's '' Chichester Psalms .''

  • The same psalm is used on the song ''Gaia'' by the Spanish Folk Metal band '' Mägo De Oz ''.

  • In the film " The Elephant Man " the title character recites the psalm, revealing for the first time that he is an educated and sensitive person.

  • U2 's song "Love Rescue Me" from the album "Rattle and Hum" includes the lyrics "Yea, though I walk in the valley of the shadow, Yea, I will fear no evil. I have cursed thy rod and staff, They no longer comfort me, Love rescue me."

  • The psalm is recited by Police Sergeant Neil Howie ( Edward Woodward ) in the film '' The Wicker Man ,'' as he is burned alive (sacrificed) in a brutal pagan ceremony on Summerisle, a fictitious, remote Scottish island.

  • In the 2005 movie '' Jarhead ,'' Staff Sgt. Sykes ( Jamie Foxx ) parodies the psalm by saying, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for I am the baddest Motherfucker in the valley." An earlier version of the profane parody is recited in the movie '' Full Metal Jacket .'' The parody is available on T-shirts and bumper stickers popular among some military and gun enthusiasts.

  • The protagonists in the Stephen King novel '' 'Salem's Lot '' recite the psalm to build their courage before fighting Vampire s.

  • The psalm is recited by the revolutionary V in the Graphic Novel '' V For Vendetta '' as he is about to poison the corrupt Bishop Lilliman.

  • The English Sitcom '' The Vicar Of Dibley '' uses the psalm as its theme music set by Howard Goodall and performed by 'George and the Choir' (The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford ). The conductor is Stephen Darlington . It was released as a Charity Single with proceeds to Comic Relief .




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