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THE TWENTY-THIRD PSALM by Eugene Field

Summary, meaning, line-by-line analysis & FAQ.

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Eugene Field's "The Twenty-Third Psalm" offers a heartfelt poetic retelling of the well-known Biblical psalm usually linked to King David.

Poet
Eugene Field
Themes
death, faith, hope
The PoemFull text

THE TWENTY-THIRD PSALM

Eugene Field

My Shepherd is the Lord my God,-- There is no want I know; His flock He leads in verdant meads, Where tranquil waters flow. He doth restore my fainting soul With His divine caress, And, when I stray, He points the way To paths of righteousness. Yea, though I walk the vale of death, What evil shall I fear? Thy staff and rod are mine, O God, And Thou, my Shepherd, near! Mine enemies behold the feast Which my dear Lord hath spread; And, lo! my cup He filleth up, With oil anoints my head! Goodness and mercy shall be mine Unto my dying day; Then will I bide at His dear side Forever and for aye!

Public domain

Sourced from Project Gutenberg

§01Quick summary

What this poem is about

Eugene Field's "The Twenty-Third Psalm" offers a heartfelt poetic retelling of the well-known Biblical psalm usually linked to King David. It preserves all the familiar imagery — the shepherd, the lush meadows, the shadowy valley, the overflowing cup — while transforming them into a rhyming, song-like verse that exudes warmth and intimacy. At its core, the poem expresses unwavering trust in God, spanning from everyday comfort to the journey through death and into eternity.

§02Themes

Recurring themes

§03Line by line

Stanza by stanza, with notes

  1. My Shepherd is the Lord my God,-- / There is no want I know;

    Editor's note

    Field opens by referring to God as a shepherd — someone who cares for, guards, and nurtures a flock. The speaker simply states that he lacks nothing. The word "my" carries significant weight: this isn't just any God, but a personal one. The depiction of "verdant meads" (green meadows) and "tranquil waters" creates a picture of absolute peace and abundance.

  2. He doth restore my fainting soul / With His divine caress,

    Editor's note

    Here, the shepherd's care is tender and physical — a "caress" instead of a command. The soul is depicted as "fainting," suggesting it's worn out or lost, and God gently restores it. The second half of the stanza brings in moral guidance: even when the speaker strays from the right path, God guides him back toward "paths of righteousness" instead of punishing him.

  3. Yea, though I walk the vale of death, / What evil shall I fear?

    Editor's note

    This is the psalm's most famous image, and Field presents it as a bold rhetorical question: *what* is there to fear? The answer is clear — nothing. The "staff and rod" are tools a shepherd uses to guide and protect sheep, and the speaker takes ownership of them. The change from "He" to "Thou" and "Thy" is important: the speaker is now addressing God directly, creating a sense of closeness and intimacy in the relationship.

  4. Mine enemies behold the feast / Which my dear Lord hath spread;

    Editor's note

    God sets a feast for the speaker right in front of his enemies — a powerful image of divine favor that no human opposition can hinder. In ancient Near Eastern culture, anointing the head with oil was a sign of honor and blessing. The cup that "overflows" represents abundance that exceeds what is necessary.

  5. Goodness and mercy shall be mine / Unto my dying day;

    Editor's note

    The final stanza reflects on life and what lies ahead. "Goodness and mercy" aren’t just fleeting gifts; they’re constant companions. The poem concludes with the speaker opting to remain by God's side "forever and for aye," emphasizing eternal belonging with a repeated "forever." The tone finishes with warmth and confidence instead of awe or fear.

§04Tone & mood

How this poem feels

The tone throughout is warm, trusting, and quietly joyful. There's no trace of anxiety, even as the poem navigates the valley of death — Field maintains a steady and confident voice. The rhyme scheme and the soft, song-like rhythm create a sense of comfort, resembling a lullaby for the soul. It feels more like a personal conversation between an individual and a God they truly love than a formal religious text.

§05Symbols & metaphors

Symbols & metaphors

The Shepherd
God as shepherd serves as the central metaphor of the entire poem. A shepherd feeds, guides, protects, and looks for lost sheep — all depicting a God who is actively engaged in human life instead of being distant or indifferent.
The Vale of Death
The dark valley symbolizes suffering, danger, and mortality—the unavoidable tough times in life. Walking *through* it instead of avoiding it shows that faith doesn't eliminate hardship; it walks alongside the believer during these challenges.
The Overflowing Cup
A cup that overflows symbolizes an abundance beyond what you asked for or expected. It implies that God's generosity knows no limits.
Staff and Rod
A shepherd's essential tools are the staff, used for guiding, and the rod, which protects against predators. In this context, they symbolize God's active guidance and defense of each individual soul.
The Feast Before Enemies
The banquet spread in front of enemies symbolizes divine vindication. It shows that God's blessing on the speaker is clear and undeniable, even to those who wish him harm.
Oil Anointing
In ancient Near Eastern culture, anointing with oil indicated that someone was honored, chosen, or set apart. In this context, it shows that the speaker is not merely accepted by God but is genuinely cherished.

§06Historical context

Historical context

Eugene Field (1850–1895) was an American journalist and poet celebrated for his sentimental verses aimed at children and families, such as "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod" and "Little Boy Blue." He spent much of his career as a newspaper columnist in Chicago, where he skillfully blended humor with genuine warmth. This poem is his take on Psalm 23, one of the most frequently quoted passages in the Hebrew Bible, traditionally attributed to King David and likely written in the 10th century BCE. By Field's time, the psalm was already a vital part of American Protestant culture, recited at funerals, in churches, and at home. Field's adaptation maintains the original's structure and imagery while presenting it in the accessible, rhyming style that characterized his popular work, making this ancient text feel fresh and personal for a 19th-century audience.

§07FAQ

Questions readers ask

It’s a poetic take that stays true to the original without copying it word for word. Field captures the same flow of images — the shepherd, the green pastures, the valley of death, the feast, the overflowing cup, and the promise of living with God forever — but expresses them in his own rhyming style. You can think of it as a lyrical translation instead of a direct quote.

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