Farewell Service

Hymns, readings and a printed program for a Christian funeral

Psalm 23

A Catholic funeral reading (responsorial psalm), with the full text in the King James Version and the Douay-Rheims.

Reads in about 1 minute6 versesCatholic: Responsorial Psalm

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King James Version

  1. 1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
  2. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
  3. 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
  4. 4Yea, 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. 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
  6. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Douay-Rheims

Psalm 22 in the Douay-Rheims numbering.

  1. 1A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.
  2. 2He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:
  3. 3He hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name’s sake.
  4. 4For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.
  5. 5Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!
  6. 6And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.

Most Catholic parishes in the US read the New American Bible. Read Psalm 23 in the NABRE at usccb.org.

Where this reading is used

  • Catholic: Responsorial Psalm (Lectionary for Mass, no. 1013)
  • Protestant: a common funeral reading

Hymns based on it

Psalm 23:1 explained on VerseFlip

Scripture: King James Version (1769 text) and Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision (Project Gutenberg #1581); both public domain. Citation as listed in the Lectionary for Mass.