Faith in the Cracks – Allowing God to seep into the cracks in our lives.

A familiar psalm for many, often associated with funerals. However, there is more to be uncovered. I memorized the King James Version when I was in 3rd grade Sunday school. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” The flowery language of the KJV has a nostalgic ring to it, but I don’t know as it is the most helpful.

I have been going through different versions and reading more about the psalm and sheep in preparation for a sermon. I thought I would do a couple blog posts about some different aspects about the Hebrew and how it may or may not change the understanding of the Psalm.

But first a few translations:

NRSVue

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
³     he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
    for his name’s sake.

⁴ Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
    I fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    my whole life long.

King James Version

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Gen Z Translation (from online translator)

The Lord is like my ride or die; I won’t be needing anything else. He chills me out in lush spots; guides me by calm waters; He recharges my vibe. He shows me the right way to go because of who He is. Even when I’m in the worst situations, I ain’t scared because He’s got my back; Your guidance and support give me all the feels. He sets me up like royalty, even when my haters be watchin’; blesses me abundantly. For real, only good vibes and kindness will come after me every day of my life, and I’ll kick it in the Lord’s crib forever.

There are parts of the Gen Z translation that resonate for me. Psalm 23 is about having all our needs cared for by the shepherd. We are taken to a place to stay that is vibrant and abundant. We are in a place where we can rest. We are given a place to be renewed, remade into how we were created to be.

Paths of righteousness, I remember translating in my seminary Hebrew class as ruts of righteousness. I remember the conversation that ensued about ruts and how getting into a rut often was a negative connotation, but in this sense it was helpful. to be in a rut, was to be in a familiar path that in this case is the right one.

Look for part 2 coming up. In the mean time ponder what a place of rest and care would look like. Also what would a rut of righteousness mean in your life?
Until next time…