Psalms 23 · Verse 2

Psalms 23:2

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psalms 23:2, King James Version

Psalms 23:2 in other translations

BSBHe makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
WEBHe makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
ASVHe maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters.
YLTIn pastures of tender grass He causeth me to lie down, By quiet waters He doth lead me.
DARBYHe maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside still waters.
BBEHe makes a resting-place for me in the green fields: he is my guide by the quiet waters.
WebsterHe maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

What does Psalms 23:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. green pastures--or, "pastures of tender grass," are mentioned, not in respect to food, but as places of cool and refreshing rest. the still waters--are, literally, "waters of "stillness," whose quiet flow invites to repose. They are contrasted with boisterous streams on the one hand, and stagnant, offensive pools on the other.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures - בנאות דשא binoth deshe, not green pastures, but cottages of turf or sods, such as the shepherds had in open champaign countries; places in which themselves could repose safely; and pens thus constructed where the flock might be safe all the night. They were enclosures, and enclosures where they had grass or provender to eat. Beside the still waters - Deep waters, that the strongest heat could not exhale; not by a rippling current, which argues a shallow stream. Or perhaps he may here refer to the waters of Siloam, or Shiloah, that go sof tly, Isa 8:6, compared with the strong current of the Euphrates. Thou hast brought us from the land of our captivity, from beyond this mighty and turbulent river, to our own country streams, wells, and fountains, where we enjoy peace, tranquillity, and rest. The old Psalter gives this a beautiful turn: On the water of rehetyng forth he me broght. On the water of grace er we broght forth, that makes to recover our strengthe that we lost in syn. And reheteis (strengthens) us to do gude workes. My saule he turned, that es, of a synful wreche, he made it ryghtwis, and waxyng of luf in mekeness. First he turnes our sautes til hym; and then he ledes and fedes it. Ten graces he telles in this psalme, the qwilk God gyfs til his lufers, (i.e., them that love him).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Psalms 23:2 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

בִּנְא֣וֹתbin.'otin pastures ofH4999
דֶּ֭שֶׁאDe.she'grassH1877
יַרְבִּיצֵ֑נִיyar.bi.Tze.nihe makes lie down meH7257
עַל\־'al-atH5921
מֵ֖יmeiwaters ofH4325
מְנֻח֣וֹתme.nu.Chotrest<s>H4496
יְנַהֲלֵֽנִי\׃ye.na.ha.Le.nihe leads meH5095

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 23:2

  • Revelation 7:17

    For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

  • Revelation 22:1

    And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

  • Ezekiel 34:13-14

    And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.

  • Psalms 46:4

    There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

  • Revelation 21:6

    And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

  • Isaiah 30:23

    Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.

  • Isaiah 49:9-10

    That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

  • Revelation 22:17

    And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

  • Job 34:29

    When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
maketh.
Isa 30:23; Eze 34:13,14
green pastures. Heb. pastures of tender grass. leadeth.
46:4; Isa 49:9,10; Re 7:17; 21:6; 22:1,17
still waters. Heb. waters of quietness.
Job 34:29; Isa 8:6

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 23:1

    A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

  • Psalms 23:2

    He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

  • Psalms 23:3

    He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Read all of Psalms 23

Psalms 23:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		En lugares de delicados pastos me hará yacer: junto á aguas de reposo me pastoreará.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Il me fait reposer dans de verts pâturages, il me mène à des eaux paisibles.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Er lagert mich auf grünen Auen, er führt mich zu stillen Wassern.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Quia ipse super maria fundavit eum, et super flumina præparavit eum.