At some point in my adult life, I decided to rewrite Psalm 23.
Not my best decision. Or even a good decision. In fact, it’s one of my worst decisions.
David was its original author. You remember David, right? He killed a giant by slinging a stone at his forehead. He was the King of Israel, a skillful musician, a shepherd, a warrior, and the author of 71 books in the Bible.
And although David certainly messed up in big ways, he was called “a man after God’s own heart.”
Yeah, he is kind of a big deal.
I should have never second-guessed his words.
The first and fourth verses in Psalm 23 say this:
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want…for you are with me.”
I rewrote them to say this:
“I am my own shepherd, and that’s not working out so well…because I am trying to fix things.” *
Good. Grief.
Psalm 23 has been my landing spot in my morning study times for some time now. It is filled with hope, promises, and life-changing words to live by. I’ve discovered that because the words are more well-known than other Bible verses, it’s easy for me to read them or say them without really considering what the words are telling me.
For instance. Verse 5 reads, “You anoint my head with oil.” I know that means that God heals me, consecrates me, provides me with what I need to do what He’s called me to do, and there’s a comfort in those words. There is also this: Remember that these words are written by a shepherd. A good shepherd would rub oil into the soft tissue of the sheep’s nose and eyes and face, to protect them from the flies and parasites that would try to lay eggs there. For real! Isn’t that something? In addition to bringing healing and blessings, these beautiful words also tell me that God wants to protect me from lies and annoyances and hurts. We are loved so much by this kind and gracious Shepherd.
You and I have everything we need because we have Jesus.
One of my very favorite teachers, Dallas Willard, was “convinced that the Twenty-Third Psalm was not merely a pretty poem with charming sentiments but an accurate description of the kind of life that is available to anyone who will allow God to be their Shepherd.” **
That takes my breath away.
Maybe you’ve read too quickly over some of God’s loving promises in the Bible. Or, like me, you’ve even ignored them and created your own version of God’s words.
Take a new, fresh look at the six verses in Psalm 23. Ask God to open your eyes to see the wisdom and protection and love He has for you. Then give those words permanent residence in your heart. Meditate on them. Live like you believe them.
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
For you are close beside me.
What a beautiful promise.
* Louie Giglio did a similar re-write to these beautiful words, and I laughed out loud when I read them, because his words described my actions perfectly. His book, “Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table” is a powerful, transforming, battle-preparing book on winning the battle of your mind. I highly recommend it.
** I’ve mentioned this book before, and I’ll probably mention it again. “Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23” by Dallas Willard will change your life. Please check it out.
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