Why read Psalm 22?
Psalm 22 offers comfort and trust when you are afraid. The image of the Lord as shepherd, present even in the valley of the shadow of death, expresses confidence in His care throughout life.
You can read this psalm when its themes speak to your circumstances, or as part of your regular reading of the Psalter. This explanation draws on the text itself; the psalm is not reserved for one particular need.
The full text of Psalm 22 (6 verses), from the 3rd Kathisma of the Psalter. Its opening words — «The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not...» — are also the psalm’s traditional “name”: our grandmothers did not say “psalm 22”, but called it by its first words.
The text of Psalm 22
1. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
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.
5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
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.
Text: King James Version (1611/1769) — Psalm 23
When Psalm 22 is read
- The shepherd’s psalm — for consolation and at the Divine Liturgy.
- At the end of each psalm, tradition adds: «Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.».
Adjacent psalms
The numbering follows the Orthodox Psalter (Septuagint). The same psalm may have a different number in other Bible editions.
