Pretty much everybody knows Psalm 23, right? "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want..." I mean, even those who don't know much about the Bible at all seem to be at least somewhat familiar with the words of that psalm. What's so crazy is that we can become familiar with words, even memorize them, but still not get the point. I speak from my own experience...I can't remember not knowing Psalm 23...but it wasn't until a few years ago than I began living Psalm 23... It is such a well-known passage for good reason -- it is one of the most beautiful and reassuring pieces of scripture in the entire collection, painting the picture so eloquently of Jesus as the shepherd, us as the sheep, and what exactly that means... Part of the problem is that many of us learned it or read it on a picture somewhere written in the "King James" Version of the Bible, and unless you are an expert Shakespearean translator, it simply won't have the same powerful effect as when you read and absorb it in modern-day English! Try at least the New International Version or some other wonderful modern translation and read it again...slowly this time...absorbing each phrase, contemplating the depth of meaning, and breathing in strength for a new day... "The Lord is my shepherd...I shall not be in want..."
c2009 Lorenda Houston
