Learn How to Pray Psalm 23

What’s Inside: Learn How to Pray Psalm 23 from God’s word for comfort and reassurance during the hard times

I didn’t know if God would take him home or if he would remain here on earth with me.  My husband had collapsed on the street of Daegu and had three brain aneuryms. 

I surrendered my will and told God that His will be done.  I also prayed for the Lord to be near to me and walk with me through the darkest of the shadow of death if I had to trudge through that darkness.

It was during that prayer life life consisted of on the go S.O.S. prayers to the Lord asking for divine intervention.  It was also during that time that I started praying the 23rd Psalms prayer.

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How to Pray Psalm 23 from the Bible

You’ve heard of this beautiful Psalm and perhaps even memorized it as a child like I did.  The words speak of a great Shepherd who watches over His sheep in the good times and the bad and under all circumstances.  If you’ve not memorized it,  I would love to challenge you to committing it to memory so you can have it in your prayer tools arsenal.

If you’d like a background on Psalm 23 according to the Bible, you must watch this video below.

Knowing the History helps you Pray Psalm 23 Effectively

Before we pray Psalm 23,  let’s take a closer look into the history of the Psalm. Knowing the historical setting gives us insight into the comforting word of God and helps us to apply the word and pray Psalm 23 effectively.

Who wrote the 23rd Psalm?

Who wrote the 23rd Psalm?  Psalm 23 was a psalm of David which means it was written by King David of Israel.  David’s own heart longed to serve the Lord and do what was right in God’s eyes.  He was a man with a heart full of passion for God but also was a man who made many mistakes and committed the sin of adultery and murder.  Throughout his whole life,  he penned many songs, also known as Psalms, that have been compiled into our Bible as the book of Psalms in the Old Testament.

David’s heart longed to serve the Lord and do what was right in God’s eyes

When was the 23rd Psalm Written

It is believed that the 23rd Psalm was written towards the end of the David’s life, possibly in the year 1015.  The last verse can seemingly confirm this since he speaks about dwelling in the presence of God forever.  Maybe David was looking to a time when he would dwell with God forever.

It’s amazing how the truth of the Heavenly Father can span through time and still be a great comfort to us in this modern age.

Related Post: Psalm 23 Bible Study + Free Psalm 23 PDF

What is the meaning of Psalm 23?

What is the meaning of Psalm 23?  Before David was the King of Israel, he was a shepherd in the land of Israel.

In that day and age, shepherds were a very common sight in Israel.  Every day, he cared for, tended to and fed his sheep.  He led them from field to field to make sure they were well nourished.  When they were thirsty he brought them to water.  When they were sick, he nursed them.  When they broke a leg,  he carried them over his shoulder. Just like David cared for all the needs of his sheep, Jesus tends to every need of us as His children. How fitting that he would poetically write about his God being a loving Shepherd who cared for His sheep who were his children.

Just like David cared for all the needs of his sheep, Jesus tends to every need of us as His children

How to Make Psalm 23 Your Prayer

Are you ready to make Psalm 23 your own personalized prayer?

I have divided Psalm 23 into 6 portions from each verse that can be used as a daily prayer.

Would you believe there are only 6 verses in one of the well most loves Psalsm- Psalm 23?

I’ll start with one verse and elaborate on the qualities of that verse and round it up with a prayer. You can use my prayer as a personal prayer guide or you pray spontaneously on the verse portion for that day while meditating on the Scripture.

You can also use the Blue Letter Bible to dig deeper and do word studies to enhance your prayer time and Bible study of Psalm 23.

Praying Psalm 23 Verse by Verse

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.

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

• Verse 1 shows we have a Shepherd. Those words seem simple but they are amazingly profound. Sweet Siter, we have a shepherd who guides us as we graze through life. He is a Shepherd that provides all of our needs

Verse 1 Prayer-Thank the Lord that you have a Shepherd who cares for your daily needs and nurtures your soul. Thank him that there is no one that would care for you like Him.

2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

• God gives us sweet rest besides the quiet waters and quenches our thirst.

Verse 2 Prayer- Thank God for the beautiful place of rest He has provided for you. He also has provided you with the still waters to quench your physical thirst.

3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

• God is a restorer of our lives and leads us in the path of godliness

Verse 3 Prayer- Thank the Lord for physical and spiritual restoration and for leading us through the right paths of godliness- those paths will only lead us to spiritual growth.

4. 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.

• God’s presence walks with us in the darkest times and we can have confidence that He is with us. He is the God of all comfort!

Verse 4 Prayer-Thank the Lord for keeping you safely near Him and for keeping your enemies at a safe distance by protecting you with His rod and staff. Thank the Lord for His divine comfort.

5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

• God not only supplies our needs but prepares a table that is plenteous and full of blessing in front of those who are our enemies. Oil represents the Holy Spirit who is with us and overflows in our life as symbolized by a cup running over in excess. Our cup overflows!

Verse 5 Prayer- Praise and thank the Lord for preparing for supplying a wonderful feast in the presence of your enemies. Thank Him for anointing your life with His Holy Spirit in excess!

6. 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.

• God’s mercy and goodness follows us EVERY SINGLE DAY of our earthly life and after life we can be assured that we will dwell in God’s house forever. We have eternal life through Christ Jesus!

As we walk through life, God is right there behind us leading us into goodness and mercy every single day of our lives. Thank Him for leading you. Thank Him that He has prepared a place for you with Him in heaven.

Pray Psalm 23 with Music

Perhaps you’d like to reinforce and pray Psalm 23 in your heart and mind by song?  I think you might enjoy this song by Keith Green.  It’s been one of my favorites of his for many years.

I hope you have been inspired to pray Psalm 23, Sweet Sister. It’s a wonderful prayer template to apply to our lives today and to help us draw near to God in prayer. May these prayer points be a blessing to you!