Psalm 23: A 21^st Century version needed


By Michael Ketterhagen 

“The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack….
He guides me along right paths…
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff comfort me.”
Psalm 23: 1, 3-4 (New American Bible Revised)
 
Most Christians know the 23^rd Psalm, which is part of the Hebrew and Christian holy books.  In times of dramatic pain and struggle, all through my growing years, I have heard this psalm spoken or sung.  It has given many people much consolation during the trying times of life.
The imagery of God as shepherd made lots of sense to me as I was growing up on the farm.  I knew the importance of the farmer because I used to call the cows every morning from the back woods starting at age five.  They would hear my voice and begin to move toward the barn for milking.  I knew that they trusted my call and would sometimes even call back with a long “moo”, letting me know that they heard me even though we were not in sight of each other.