Tuesday, June 28, 2011

from Contemporary Psalms--Psalm 23

The psalms are differenent from almost every other Scripture.  All Scripture is God's Word to us, but Psalms are also our words to God. They were given to be personal and corporate prayers to God, when we cannot find our own words.
With that in mind, for several years,  I have been paraphrasing Psalms, mainly for my own devotions.  I make no claim that these are translations, or even accurate paraphrases. They are simply my way of interpreting God's words very personally, in a language that my own heart can understand.  It is an exercise that I recommend to everyone. 
Anyway,  here's one of several version I have written of Psalm 23.

God is master, I am one lucky dog!

He makes me to lie down in the back yard
He fills my bowl with cool water
Until my strength returns
And I can chase squirrels again
He takes me on walks in clean, straight paths
Past neighbors cat.
Down past the pit bulls next door’
Along the busy highways where I could be killed
Even his leash and his chain are a comforts to me.
He puts my kibbles down
In front of the big pit bulls
And they cannot touch me.
He covers my head with flea dip
My masters quiet attention
And his guiding hand
Will always be with me
And I will sleep on my master’s porch forever.