Psalm 23 (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)

Public domain, so these words can be printed in a ceremony script or an order of service.

The Jewish Publication Society translation appeared in 1917 and was the first Bible translation that society published. That 1917 translation is heavily indebted to the Revised Version and the American Standard Version, which is why it sounds so close to the English most people already know.

The psalm is the voice of someone who trusts that they are looked after. The Lord is a shepherd who makes them lie down in green pastures, leads them beside still waters and restores their soul. Then it turns: even in the valley of the shadow of death there is nothing to fear, because they are not alone there. It ends at a table set in front of enemies and with goodness and mercy following for the rest of a life. In this wording the line about paths reads “straight paths” rather than the King James “paths of righteousness,” and that is the difference a Jewish family will notice.

The Jewish translation rather than the King James, if the family would prefer it. Read at a funeral or memorial service. Themes: shepherd · comfort · the valley of the shadow · Jewish funeral · mizmor l’David.

A Jewish funeral where the family would like Psalm 23 in a Jewish translation, and an interfaith service where one side is Jewish and would prefer this wording to the Christian Bible. Because the English is almost the same as the King James Version, a mixed room will recognize it and will often say it along quietly. It is less suited to a secular memorial, where the address to the Lord can feel like it belongs to someone else.

Early in the service, after the opening words and before the eulogy, or at the graveside before the burial begins. It is often read by the rabbi or the officiant; a grandchild or a friend of the family can read it well too, because it is short and the words are familiar.

The text on this page is 121 words. At a ceremony pace of about 130 words a minute, which is slower than conversation, that comes to about 55 seconds of reading.

• Read “straight paths” as written. If the family knows the King James version, mention the difference at the rehearsal so nobody is caught out.
• The psalm turns at “Yea, though I walk.” Slow down there, and let “for Thou art with me” land.
• End on “for ever” and stop. The last line does not need help.

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