1Salmo de Davi: O SENHOR é meu pastor, nada me faltará.
2Ele me faz deitar em pastos verdes, [e] me leva a águas quietas.
3Ele restaura minha alma, [e] me guia pelos caminhos da justiça por seu nome.
4Ainda que eu venha a andar pelo vale da sombra da morte, não temerei mal algum, porque tu estás comigo; tua vara e teu cajado me consolam.
5Tu preparas uma mesa diante de mim à vista de meus adversários; unges a minha cabeça com azeite, meu cálice transborda.
6Certamente o bem e a bondade me seguirão todos os dias de minha vida; e habitarei na casa do SENHOR por muitos e muitos 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.