God took David from tending his father’s sheep and made him a shepherd of Israel because David was able to care for this flock with a tender heart and great skill. That tells us volumes about not only the kind of shepherd God chooses but the kind of shepherd he is. God is a zealous protector of his sheep, training us to hear his voice, leading us into pleasant pastures, and even walking with us through the darkest valleys. And he is extravagant in his goodness. He doesn’t just feed us; he prepares a feast in the presence of our enemies. He doesn’t just bless us; he fills our cup to overflowing. He doesn’t just offer his goodness and love; he pursues us with them. We aren’t simply his assignment; we are his passion—forever.
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the
forever.
Take a look inside this Bible.
It’s a wonderful Psalm. I say it to myself many times every day and it comes in handy in so many situations. But I’ve got to say, it’s King James or nothing. This psalm rendered in modern language just grates! There’s nothing hard to grasp about the King James version. The modernization takes all the poetry out of it. Do we read Shakespeare modernized? Maybe a few lost souls would, but it’s a crime. So is modernizing beautiful poetry like KJV Psalm 23!
The poetry doesn’t matter. All that matters is the feeling and worship behind it. God doesn’t care how elaborate our prayer and praise is – as long as it’s done with a glad and grateful heart