I decided to read Psalm 23 in The Message today to let the paraphrase speak fresh life into a very familiar text:
Psalm 23
A David Psalm
1-3 God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
23:6a Your beauty and love chase after me…
Several years ago, I sang the song “When God Ran” for a morning church service. I did not expect that it would touch so many listeners, or would get to me, for that matter. But there was something about remembering that God “runs” to bring us back whenever we make that turn towards home.
That’s a pretty amazing God. A pretty amazing love.
I struggle to explain it. I can’t always fathom that I have it. And I marvel that it is offered with so much love attached…
Thank you, God.
An Unfinished Symphony 
I’m fond of The Message’s version of Psalm 51 – which for years I used on Ash Wed services AND in Holy Week…
Psalm 23 is not my favorite Psalm, beautiful though it is. But I bet singing that was really awesome.
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Psalm 23 is too familiar. I lapse into the King Jimmy version as soon as I begin to say it. But the cycle of life in it – rest, trouble, death, life – are realities for each soul.
“When God Ran” has its moments. I did re-write the words slightly when I sang it so that it was “my child” instead of “my son” returning home. I tried to find a link to post, but the videos were too cheesy.
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