Psalm 23: An Old Prayer for Your New Year
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With the start of the new year, many of us were reminded how inadequate we were in 2025. A wave of fresh and exciting advertising challenged us to get up off the couch and fix what we think is broken in our lives. We were inundated with compelling ads on how to lose weight; which gym to join to finally get in shape; how to think more positively; how to quit smoking (or another bad habit); how to grow in our career with a new degree; and/or how to find satisfaction by feeling better about ourselves (Christie, 2025). It seems that we tried these things previously, and we were not very successful. This year it will be different; we will resolve to try again! But will we be successful?
Data indicates 92% of adults will not follow through on their New Year’s resolutions (Drive Research, 2024). This outlook is basically confirmed with statistics from another research site that considers the data from the approach of those who succeed (InsideOut Mastery, 2024). Here, it is reported that only 9% of people successfully keep their New Year’s resolutions (InsideOut Mastery, 2024). They report that while 48% of adults surveyed want to exercise more, overall, 23% of adults who set New Years’ resolutions quit in the first week. A stunning 64% fail by the end of the first month. How frustrating!
I would like to suggest to you that when it comes to the New Year, there is a great place for you to start, a place to reflect on where you are, where you have been, and where you would like to be, and it doesn’t require a gym membership! I want to suggest an old prayer that is just right for those with failed resolutions from the past. It is the antidote to the poison of fears and trepidations about the future. This old prayer was written in a time of incredible stress; and the resulting peace that comes from praying this prayer has blessed millions of lives since it was originally prayed. This prayer is a very familiar one, and sometimes the most familiar prayers are the ones that are the least appreciated. This prayer is Psalm 23 and is perhaps one so familiar that you could even quote a few verses from memory.
We know the Psalms of David as songs written by David the musician (1 Samuel 16:14-23). Many of them were also penned by worship leaders in David’s kingdom. Often, their introductions describe the musical instruments that accompany them (Psalm 150). But the Psalms are also prayers, evoking God‘s name and His great attributes (Hicks, 2025). These are hymns of praise, classical Hebrew poetry that can be prayed silently or shouted out loud (Psalms 98 and 100). The psalms, as prayers, model how to approach God in times of trial (Psalms 3; 12; 22; 44; 80) or in times of thanksgiving (Psalms 30; 34; 65; 116). Scripture often tells us how important it is to read the Word of God out loud and daily (1 Timothy 4:13; Revelation 1:3).
Psalm 23 is reported to have been written during a difficult time in David’s life (Paul, 2023). He was not dwelling in peace in his palace, having conquered all the enemies around him. He was facing a civil war when his son Absalom had chosen to declare himself King and plot a coup against David (2 Samuel 15:1-12). Absalom began to demand allegiance from David’s current leadership. Many of David’s loyal servants were turning on him, and he fled from the palace to save his own life (2 Samuel 15:13-23). This is the setting for David writing what appears to be one of the most contented and peaceful prayers in the Bible (Paul, 2023).
I want to take each verse of Psalm 23 and ask you to pray along with me, as we reflect on what David wrote during this tumultuous time in his life. I believe this psalm prayer is the perfect way to start 2026.
As I quote from the Psalm (ESV), please pray along with me:
“The Lord is my shepherd…”
Most High God, Self-Existent One, You are sovereign. You are the Leader ¾ You are my Leader and Guide! I reflect on my youth and remember how far you have brought me and how near You still are to me. I remember how You have guided me with Your mighty hand; and I have sought to do the same for Your people (Psalm 78:72).
“I shall not want.”
You Lord have been faithful to me throughout my life. As with Moses, You asked: “What is that you have in your hand” (Exodus 4:2); and against Goliath, you provided me a slingshot (1 Samuel 17:40). If I did not need it, You did not provide it. I now have everything I need ¾ not because I am king, but because of the abundance of Your goodness and provision (Psalm 31:19). I find my satisfaction and fulfillment and completeness in You alone.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures…”
As my sheep needed to be well-fed and protected, so they would lie still and be unafraid. You Lord have cared for and protected me throughout my life. I am in awe of Your steadfast love (Psalm 31:21).
“He leads me beside still waters.”
While all around me is trouble and strife, my heart is at rest. Your strong arm and mighty hand shelter me. Under the shadow of your wings, I am protected from those who seek to do me harm (Psalm 17:8).
“He restores my soul.”
You return me to a place of complete trust and dependence on You. You rescue my soul from deceit, trouble, and self-reliance. My heart and my love are returned to You. I am totally devoted to You!
“He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.”
May Your glory shine through me as You, my Shepherd, lead me on the path of truth and integrity. May I embrace truth and live with inner order and complete trust in You. Based on Your holy, sovereign, trustworthy Name, I know I can count on You!
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”
All around me are those who scheme against me to instill fear and to destroy what You have built through me (Psalm 31:13). What seems like a constricted place with terrors everywhere is the place where You will do Your greatest work!
“I will fear no evil, for you are with me…”
The lurking shadows cannot hide You ¾ even if I dwell in the uttermost depths of the sea, You are still with me (Psalm 139:9). I call to You, and You hear and answer from Your holy hill (Psalm 3:4).
“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
With Your rod, You discipline me ¾ and I repent of my wayward heart. With Your staff, You guide me on the path of uprightness and blamelessness. I repent of wrong choices and for not fully depending on Your provision. I am comforted to know You never slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:4).
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…”
It is not just a bag lunch by which You sustain me; but, in the midst of those who seek my harm, You provide a grand feast with the choicest of delicacies. Those who seek Your face lack no good thing (Psalm 34:10). You are preparing a great victory for me!
“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
As Aaron, Your faithful priest, was anointed (Psalm 133:2), I remember from where You took me. You anointed me and called me to this task, and I am fully dependent on You to complete this assignment. You have blessed Your servant and shown me great favor. I am overflowing with a continual outpouring of Your Presence!
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”
As You, Sovereign Shepherd, complete Your work through me, Your goodness and blessings will overflow from me and pour out into the lives of others. As I am blessed, I cannot contain it all! Your goodness and mercy will impact everyone with whom I come in contact, because these blessings have been poured out by You, Sovereign Lord!
“And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Regardless of how the present battle finishes, I long to abide in Your Presence forever. I know now I can call upon You and be certain I will be heard and You will respond (Psalm 34:6). Although the answer may be delayed (Daniel 10:12), I know my times are in Your hands; and, at some date, You will rescue me from the hand of my persecutors (Psalm 31:15). I give all praise and worship and honor to You, O Sovereign Lord, because You alone are worthy (Revelation 4:11)!
You could certainly afford to lose a few pounds ¾ we all could. We could all learn to think more positively and to quit bad habits that annoy our spouses and offend others. But you don’t need a New Year’s resolution to do that. You simply need to put your faith and trust in God, who loves you ¾ even if you’re overweight and have bad habits. It’s time for all of us to trust in God completely and find contentment in “what we have in our hand” (Exodus 4:2) or what He has provided for us. May this New Year bring you into an even closer, intimate relationship with the god who loves you and gave His life for you, so you may “dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Ps. 23:6).
Sources:
Christie, B. (2025, December 23). New Year Advertising: Resolutions for the Upcoming Year. Gourmet Ads [Commercial Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.gourmetads.com/articles/advertising-new-years-resolutions/.
Drive Research Team (2024, November 18). New Year’s Resolutions Statistics and Trends. Drive Research [Commercial Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.driveresearch.com/market-research-company-blog/new-years-resolutions-statistics/.
Hicks, M. (2025, January 24). How to Pray the Psalms. Lifeway Women [Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://women.lifeway.com/2025/01/24/pray-the-psalms/.
InsideOut Mastery (2024). 19 Surprising New Year’s Resolution Statistics (2024 Updated). InsideOut Mastery [Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://insideoutmastery.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/.
Paul, J. (2023, January 17). Background of Psalm 23. Theologia [Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://theologia.in/background-of-psalm-23/.
Psalm 23:1-6 ESV. Retrieved from https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.23.1-6.ESV
