Psalm 23

This is Psalm 23 taken from my study of the Hebrew words. I’ve made it my prayer. 

Jehovah, the God of Israel, is my shepherd. He tends to me and my needs. He is my companion and friend. I have no lack—there are no wants or failures. In fact, there are no decreases at all. I have all I need.  

He makes me lie down (much like I did in the womb). He lays me across his breast. I stretch out in green pastures which has new, soft grass or herbs. It’s soft to lay on and good to eat—my food of choice.  This is my home with the shepherd.  He leads me with care to a watering station and a place to rest. This is water than runs with a sparkle—it’s quiet and melodic. It refreshes me. 

The shepherd restores me—he turns me back to God. I return to the beginning. My soul is the seat of my mind, my will, and my emotions. He helps me return to the way God intended me to be from the beginning of time.  He guides and governs me in the track of rightness, righteousness, justice, and deliverance for the purpose and intent of his reputation, fame, and glory.  

Even though I follow the shepherd and walk through the gorge with deep shadows like death or the grave, I will not be fearful or dread the evil, bad intentions, adversity, distress, calamity, misery, wrong, evil, or injury intended toward me. For you are with me, beside me, and bound to me. Your rod to protect and rule and your staff to lean on and rescue me comforts me. 

You arrange and set in order a table before me (conspicuously) in front of my enemy who binds me and causes distress. You fatten me with prosperity and fruitfulness. My cup is saturated and runs over with wealth. 

Indeed, goodness, bounty, pleasantness, agreeableness, happiness, and wealth—along with mercy, kindness, faithfulness, and lovingkindness—will chase me each and every day of my life. I will dwell and remain in God’s family home forever.