Jesus is often referred to as “The Good Shepherd”
If you would like to listen to my blog instead of reading it, you can press the “Read Aloud” button above and have an AI bot read to you, or you can press the play button below and have me read it to you:
When I was a kid, my parents made sure I attended Sunday School and church every Sunday. One of the more popular things to do back then was to memorize scripture. I think the theory was – fill a kid up with words from the “good book” and some of it might stick. Maybe it was a good idea because I can still recite many verses I thought I forgot years ago. All I need is a small cue, and the rest of the passage just falls off my tongue. What I consider most amazing about this is that everything I memorized back then was in the King James version – not even the New King James version! Yes, I predate almost all of the hundreds of choices we have today that put all that stilted old English into modern language.
One of my favorite passages was from Psalm 23. I can still rattle off every line without even thinking. Can you? In preparing for this blog, I went back to the King James version and couldn’t help but feel that, as a kid, I must have had to struggle to grasp what the Psalmist was trying to say. Recently, I’ve discovered the EASY paraphrase version, and I did a side-by-side comparison. It opened things up for me and allowed me to see “an old friend” in a new light. I hope it does the same for you.
| King James Version | EASY Version |
| 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
|
23 The Lord takes care of me, like a shepherd with his sheep. I have everything that I need. |
| 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. | 2 He takes me to green fields where I can rest. He leads me to streams of water where I can drink. |
| 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. | 3 He gives me new strength in my life. He is my guide to the right paths. He does this to give honor to his name. |
| 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. | 4 I may walk through a valley that is as dark as death. But I will not be afraid of any danger. This is because you are with me, Lord. Your stick and your shepherd’s pole protect me from danger.
|
| 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
|
5 You prepare a big meal for me while my enemies watch. You put olive oil on my head. You bless me so much that my cup is completely full. |
| 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
|
6 I am sure that you will always be good to me. You will love me all the days of my life. That will never change. I will live in the Lord’s house for as long as I live.
|
As much as I love the original language of the King James version, the EASY version brings new comfort and meaning to a familiar passage. Thank God for all those who have worked so hard to help open up the Bible with new takes on what it means!
Like what you read? Don’t miss the next edition! Subscribe to my posts.
