Funeral reading
Psalm 23
King James Bible
“Psalm 23” (King James Bible) is a scripture reading read at a funeral or memorial service. It takes about a minute and a half read aloud, usually by a guest reader. It is in the public domain, so the full text is printed on this page and goes straight into a ceremony script.
The full text
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 paths 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.
Public domain, so these words can be printed in a ceremony script or an order of service.
Where it comes from
In the King James Psalms the heading of Psalm 23 is “A Psalm of David”, and the six verses printed here are the whole psalm.
What it says
The speaker describes God as a shepherd who sees to everything: green pastures, still water, a restored soul, the right path. Then the psalm walks straight into the valley of the shadow of death and says the speaker will fear no evil, because the shepherd is there. It ends at a table set in front of enemies, a cup running over, and a promise to live in the house of the Lord for ever. It moves from rest, through danger, to a homecoming, which is why it fits a funeral so closely.
The one almost every family asks for, and the one most guests can say along with you. Read at a funeral or memorial service. Themes: comfort · the valley of the shadow · shepherd · not being afraid · the most requested funeral reading.
Who it suits
Almost any Christian or Jewish funeral, and families where several generations will know the words by heart. It suits someone whose faith was quiet and steady, a farmer or a person who loved the countryside, and services where the family wants one reading everybody recognizes. At a secular service it can feel like a default rather than a choice; ask whether the person would have wanted it.
Where it goes in the ceremony
Often the first reading, early in the service, or read at the graveside just before the committal. A grandchild or a close family friend usually reads it. Many families print it in the order of service so the room can say it together.
Reading it aloud
The text on this page is 118 words. At a ceremony pace of about 130 words a minute, which is slower than conversation, that comes to about 55 seconds of reading.
- People in the room may say it under their breath with you. Keep a steady, unhurried pace so they can, and do not stop if you hear them.
- The valley verse is the center. Slow down for it and lift your eyes on “for thou art with me”.
- If you were close to the person, practice the last line most; “dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” is where readers tend to falter.
Questions about reading it aloud
How long does “Psalm 23” take to read aloud?
“Psalm 23” takes about a minute and a half read aloud at a ceremony pace, which is slower than conversation — roughly 130 words a minute. That is the figure the run-sheet uses when it works out the timing for the whole service.
Who usually reads “Psalm 23”?
Usually a guest reader rather than the officiant. “Psalm 23” runs about a minute and a half, which is a manageable amount to hand to a friend or family member. Give them a printed copy of their own, in a size they can read without their glasses, and tell them where to stand and how you will introduce them.
Can “Psalm 23” be printed in a ceremony script?
Yes. It is in the public domain, so the full text is on this page and can be printed in a script or an order of service.
Where this text was checked
Checked word for word against a full-text edition that is itself the authority — a Project Gutenberg or Wikisource transcription, a publisher’s own edition, or the issuing body’s page.
Checked
A reading is two minutes of the hour.
The rest is the welcome, the life, the remembrances, the committal — and knowing what comes next. Answer some questions about them and get the whole service, written out, with this reading in its place.
Other readings that suit the same service
- Psalm 23 (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)a minute and a halfThe same psalm in the Jewish Publication Society wording
- The Lord's My Shepherd (Crimond)4 minutesPsalm 23 sung, to the tune Crimond
- Psalm 12155 secondsAnother short psalm of protection for the journey
- Psalm 27:1, 4, 13–1450 secondsKing James Bible
- Psalm 91:1–6, 11a minute and a halfKing James Bible
- Matthew 11:28–3025 secondsKing James Bible