Memorizing Psalms

Memorizing Psalms is a tremendously beneficial project that helps overcome anxiety, benefits others, and enhances productivity. It's a challenging goal, as the Book of Psalms -- the most-read book in the Bible -- totals 150 separate Psalms.

The prolific mathematician and physicist John von Neumann memorized many of the Psalms and it appeared to help him in his work. Many consider him to have been the smartest man of the 20th century.

Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is easy to remember as a prime number (23), having only 6 (a perfect number) verses and a total of 119 (factored by 7x17) words in the NASB 1995 translation. Each verse says something powerful and special.

• verse 1: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. [TITLE AND LACK OF WANT]
• verse 2: He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. [WHERE: 2 LOCATIONS]
• verse 3: He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness / For His name’s sake. [RESTORATION AND GUIDE]
• verse 4: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. [NO FEAR, AND COMFORT]
• verse 5: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. [CEREMONY AND PLENTY]
• verse 6: Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. [ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE, DWELL]

See also

• Bible memorization