"Psalm 23, often referred to as "Adonai Ro’i" (The Lord is my shepherd) in Hebrew, is a beloved and comforting passage from the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament.

Hebrew Text (with transliteration):

מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד, יְהוָה רֹעִי לֹא אֶחְסָר.
(Mizmor l’David, Adonai ro’i lo echsar.)
בִּנְאוֹת דֶּשֶׁא יַרְבִּיצֵנִי, עַל מֵי מְנֻחוֹת יְנַהֲלֵנִי.
(Bin’ot deshe yarbitzeini, al mei menuchot yenahaleini.)
נַפְשִׁי יְשׁוֹבֵב, יַנְחֵנִי בְמַעְגְּלֵי-צֶדֶק לְמַעַן שְׁמוֹ.
(Nafshi yeshovev, yancheini b’ma’aglei-tzedek l’ma’an sh’mo.)
גַּם כִּי-אֵלֵךְ בְּגֵיא צַלְמָוֶת, לֹא-אִירָא רָע, כִּי-אַתָּה עִמָּדִי; שִׁבְטְךָ וּמִשְׁעַנְתֶּךָ, הֵמָּה יְנַחֲמֻנִי.
(Gam ki-elech b’gei tzalmavet, lo-ira ra, ki-atah imadi; shivtecha u-mish’antecha, hemma yenachamuni.)
תַּעֲרֹךְ לְפָנַי שֻׁלְחָן, נֶגֶד צֹרְרָי; דִּשַּׁנְתָּ בַשֶּׁמֶן רֹאשִׁי, כּוֹסִי רְוָיָה.
(Ta’aroch l’fanai shulchan, neged tzorerai; dishanta vashemen roshi, kosi revayah.)
אַךְ, טוֹב וָחֶסֶד יִרְדְּפוּנִי כָּל-יְמֵי חַיָּי; וְשַׁבְתִּי בְּבֵית-יְהוָה, לְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים.
(Ach, tov vachesed yirdefuni kol-yemei chayyai; veshavti b’veit-Adonai, l’orech yamim.)

English Translation (New International Version – NIV):

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet1 waters,
he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they2 comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my3 cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the4 Lord forever.

Common Interpretations:

The Lord as Shepherd: The psalm uses the metaphor of a shepherd caring for his sheep to illustrate God’s loving and protective relationship with humanity. This imagery conveys a sense of guidance, provision, and safety.
Provision and Rest: The "green pastures" and "quiet waters" symbolize God’s provision of physical and spiritual nourishment and rest.
Guidance and Righteousness: God guides believers along "right paths," emphasizing moral and spiritual guidance.
Comfort in Adversity: The "darkest valley" (or "valley of the shadow of death") represents life’s challenges and dangers. The psalm reassures that God’s presence provides comfort and protection even in difficult times. The "rod and staff" represent the tools a shepherd uses to guide and protect his flock.
Abundance and Blessing: The "table prepared" and "anointing with oil" symbolize God’s abundant blessings and hospitality. The "overflowing cup" signifies an abundance of joy and blessings.
Eternal Dwelling: The final verse expresses a hope for eternal communion with God.

Psalm 23 is widely used in both Jewish and Christian traditions, offering comfort in times of grief, fear, and uncertainty, and expressing gratitude for God’s constant care."

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