The Beating Heart of Psalm 23 Psalm 23 has 55 Hebrew words in it. What’s fascinating is what forms the numerical center of this psalm. At the heart of Psalm 23 are the words, “For Thou art with me.” There are 26 Hebrew words before that phrase, and 26 words after it. What’s more, in the verses leading up to that phrase, the poet speaks of God in the third person: “he” does this and “he” does that. But when we get to this numerical center, the psalmist transitions into speaking to God directly, in the second person: for “Thou” art with me, “Thy” rod and staff, “Thou” dost prepare. The abiding presence of the Shepherd with us—whether we’re in the valley of the shadow of death or surrounded by enemies—is the beating heart of the poem.