Psalm 23

When I was child and we had Daily Vacation Bible School for two weeks in the summer, my pastor’s wife taught us Psalm 23. We even made little individual flannel boards to tell the story of the shepherd and all the things that He provides. Those lessons have stuck with me all these years and I rehearsed them in my mind as I was trying to go to sleep last night. I pondered over every word and came up with this.

The one and only Lord of all is now and forevermore my personal shepherd of my heart; I and all who belong to Him shall certainly not now or ever want for anything that I need. He, this great provider, makes (gently urges) me, His beloved, lie down (rest securely) in the midst of green, lush, verdant pastures, wide open meadows of provision. He, who graciously takes care of me, leads and patiently guides me, his needy dependent, beside (right up to the edge of) the still peaceful flowing waters, which quench my thirst thoroughly. He, my own dear Shepherd, restores and refreshes my soul in its inmost recesses. He, the kind and great One, leads and nudges me along in (directly into) the specific paths, or narrow way, of righteousness (rightness) for or because of His own holy name’s sake, because that’s what’s at stake: His name.

Yea, for sure and for certain, even though, and in spite of the fact that I walk with trepid steps through (progressing onward) the valley, which may be deep and dark, of the shadow (scary, but harmless) of death (that which separates us from life and light), I will assuredly fear (or be afraid of) no (absolutely none) evil that can harm me; for (because of the fact that) You, my faithful companion, are surely with me, right by my side always; Your own rod or defensive weapon and your staff, with which you draw me out of dangerous places, they both comfort me, bringing reassurance to my soul.

You, dear Shepherd, prepare with your own hands a table (and what a spread it is) before me, right before my eyes, in the presence (lurking nearby) of my enemies, those who would like to destroy me; You (wonderful You) anoint with healing ceremony my head, where all my thoughts lie, with oil, that soothing ointment which calms my fears and soothes my injuries; my cup, which holds all that is in my heart, runs over, overflowing with more than enough. Surely, without a doubt, goodness, God’s gracious gift, and mercy compassionately shall follow me, certainly hovering ever so close, all (every single one) the days on the calendar of my life here on this earth; and I  will inevitably dwell, residing comfortably in the house (personal residence) of the Lord Almighty forever and ever and ever and ever and evermore.

I put those thoughts into a song several years ago. Can you resonate with these truths?

“My Shepherd,” from “Serenity”