A Psalm 23 Paraphrase
The Lord is the Good Shepherd of my life, He is always good! He satisfies every want before me, fulfilling all my yearnings, even those I do not realize I need.
The Lord is the Good Shepherd who always will guide my heart to the peaceful meadows of His presence; He will always lead me to the quieting comfort of the nourishing stream of His steadfast love. Over and over, he will restore my very soul. He will lead me on the pathways that change me into someone who reflects the glory of His righteousness through His faithfulness.
Even though I may struggle and stumble when circumstances and pressures darken some of the seasons of my life with aching pain and deep despair, I do not have to cower and lose faith … because You, O Lord, will always be the Good Shepherd who will always be with me. O Lord, my Good Shepherd, you always direct me ever closer to the truth by the rod of your perfect wisdom and stand ready with your mighty hand upon your staff to always protect me.
There is no end to the extravagant banquet of your goodness that You, O Lord, put before me as a feast so abundant that my very enemies will fall back in great astonishment. Then you, O Lord, will anoint my head with the oil of your favor so the blessings you give will saturate my life and flood my soul.
Oh, Lord, my Good Shepherd, your everlasting goodness fills every moment of my living. Your merciful grace flows freely in and through every day and every season until I come into my eternal home, where I will be with You forever. So very thankful that You, Oh Lord, are my Good Shepherd! Amen.
Paraphrase, Steven Ralph Maas 8/16/2023 www.ConnectingwithChrist.org
