1O Senhor é o meu pastor, nada me faltará.
2Deitar-me faz em verdes pastos, guia-me mansamente a aguas mui quietas.
3Refrigera a minha alma; guia-me pelas veredas da justiça, por amor do seu nome.
4Ainda que eu andasse pelo valle da sombra da morte, não temeria mal algum, porque tu estás comigo; a tua vara e o teu cajado me consolam.
5Preparas uma mesa perante mim na presença dos meus inimigos, unges a minha cabeça com oleo, o meu calix trasborda.
6Certamente que a bondade e a misericordia me seguirão todos os dias da minha vida: e habitarei na casa do Senhor por longos dias.
📖 Chapter study
Summary
David describes God as a shepherd who cares for, guides, and protects him, even in dark valleys, preparing a table before his enemies and promising goodness and mercy for all his life.
Explanation
This is probably the best-known psalm in the entire Bible, used at funerals, in moments of crisis, and in celebrations of faith around the world. The image of the shepherd was immediately understandable to its first hearers: David himself had been a shepherd before becoming king, and knew how attentive, courageous, and protective a shepherd must be. 'The valley of the shadow of death' does not necessarily describe physical death, but any dark and dangerous period of life. The central message — that God supplies our needs, guides us safely, and stays with us even in danger — remains a universal source of comfort.
Fun facts
- In ancient Near Eastern shepherding culture, the shepherd walked ahead of the flock (not behind, as in the modern West), and the sheep followed because they recognized his voice — a practice still seen in rural regions of Israel today.
- The 'rod and staff' mentioned in verse 4 were real shepherd's tools: the rod to drive off predators and the staff (with a hook) to rescue sheep caught in crevices or thorn bushes.