GOOD FRIDAY: The Shepherd's Psalm

Send us a text

Experience the beloved 23rd Psalm as you've never heard it before through multiple translations that reveal new dimensions of meaning and comfort in this ancient text.

• Multiple translations showcase different interpretations while preserving the psalm's essential message
• The imagery of shepherd, green pastures, and still waters remains consistent across all versions
• Each translation highlights the psalm's movement from speaking about God to speaking directly to God
• Various phrasings of "goodness and mercy" pursuing us offer fresh insights into divine care
• Contemporary language makes the ancient text accessible while traditional wording preserves its poetry
• The promise of dwelling in God's presence serves as the culminating hope in every translation

As you listen, consider sending me your thoughts and questions on grief, both spiritual and practical, so we can walk this path together.

Listen every Friday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music for spiritual direction, art, and workshops shared through Santa Clara University, https://events.scu.edu/markey-center/event/332001-spiritual-accompaniment
You can reach us at: [e-mail].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay

Episode Transcript

Candee (01:03):
The Lord is my shepherd.
I shall not want, he maketh meto rest in green pasture and
leadeth me by the still waters.
He restoreth my soul andleadeth me in the paths of
righteousness.
For his name's sake, yea.
Though I should walk throughthe valley of the shadow of

(01:24):
death, I will fear no evil, forthou art with me, thy rod and
thy staff.
They comfort me.
Thou dost prepare a tablebefore me in the sight of mine
adversaries.
Thou dost anoint mine head withoil and my cup runneth over.
Doubtless kindness and mercyshall follow me all the days of

(01:46):
my life, and I shall remain along season in the house of the
Lord.
The Lord is my shepherd.
I lack nothing.
He causes me to lie down ingreen pastures.

(02:08):
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths ofrighteousness for his namesake.
Even though I walk through thevalley of the shadow of death, I
will fear no evil, for you arewith me, your rod and your staff

(02:30):
.
They comfort me.
You set a table for me in thepresence of my foes.
You drench my head with oil.
My cup is overflowing.
Surely goodness and mercy willpursue me all the days of my
life and I will live in thehouse of the Lord forever.

(02:56):
On the first day of the week, apsalm for David.
The earth is the Lord's, andthe fullness thereof, the world
and all they that dwell therein,for he hath founded it upon the
seas and hath prepared it uponthe rivers.
Who shall ascend into themountain of the Lord or who

(03:19):
shall stand in his holy place?
The innocent in hands and cleanof heart, who hath not taken
his soul in vain nor sworndeceitfully to his neighbor, he
shall receive a blessing fromthe Lord and mercy from God, his
Savior.
This is the generation of themthat seek him, of them that seek

(03:43):
the face of the God of Jacob.
Lift up your gates, o yeprinces, and be ye lifted up, o
eternal gates, and the King ofglory shall enter in.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord who is strong andmighty, the Lord mighty in
battle.
Lift up your gates, o yeprinces, and be ye lifted up, o

(04:08):
eternal gates, and the King ofglory shall enter in.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord of hosts, he is theKing of glory.
You, lord, are my shepherd.
I will never be in need.
You will let me rest in fieldsof green grass.
You lead me to streams ofpeaceful water and you refresh

(04:32):
my life.
You are true in your name andyou lead me along the right
paths.
I may walk through valleys asdark as death, but I won't be
afraid.
You are with me and yourshepherd's rod makes me feel
safe.
You treat me to a feast whilemy enemies watch.
You honor me as your guest andyou fill my cup until it

(04:58):
overflows.
Your kindness and love willalways be with me, each day of
my life, and I will live foreverin your house, Lord.

(05:35):
The Lord is my shepherd to feedand guide and shield me.
I shall not lack.
He makes me lie down in fresh,tender green pastures.
He leads me beside the stilland restful waters.
He refreshes and restores mylife and myself.

(05:58):
He leads me in the paths ofrighteousness, uprightness and
right.
Standing with Him, not for myearning it before his name's
name.
Yes, though I walk through thedeep, sunless valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear nordread no evil, for you are with

(06:20):
me.
Your rod to protect and yourstaff to guide.
They comfort me.
You prepare a table before mein the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil.
My brimming cup runs over.
Surely or only goodness, m ercyand unfailing love shall follow

(06:45):
me all the days of my life andthrough the lengths of my days.
The house of the Lord and hispresence shall be my dwelling
place.
Jehovah is my shepherd.

(07:07):
I shall not want, he maketh meto lie down in green pastures.
He leadeth me beside stillwaters.
He restoreth my soul.
He guideth me in the paths ofrighteousness.
For his name's sake, yea, Iwalk through the valley of the
shadow of death.
I will fear no evil, for thouart with me, thy rod and thy

(07:33):
staff.
They comfort me.
Thou preparest a table beforeme in the presence of mine
enemies.
Thou hast anointed my head withoil.
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the
days of my life and I shalldwell in the house of Jehovah

(07:53):
forever.
The Lord is my shepherd.
I have what I need.
He lets me lie down in greenpastures.
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He renews my life.
He leads me along the rightpath.

(08:16):
For his name's sake, even whenI go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger, for you arewith me.
Your rod and your staff thatcomfort me.
You prepare a table before mein the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil.
My cup overflows.

(08:37):
Only goodness and faithful lovewill pursue me all the days of
my life and I will dwell in thehouse of the Lord as long as I
live.
The Lord is my shepherd.

(09:05):
I lack nothing.
He lets me rest in grassymeadows.
He leads me to restful watersand keeps me alive.
He guides me in proper pathsfor the sake of his good name.
Even when I walk through thedarkest valley, I fear no danger
because you are with me, yourrod and your staff.

(09:27):
They protect me.
You set a table for me right infront of my enemies.
You bathe my head in oil.
My cup is so full it spillsover.
Yes, goodness and faithful lovewill pursue me all the days of
my life and I will live in theLord's house as long as I live.

(10:11):
Adonai is my shepherd.
I lack nothing.
He has me lie down in grassypastures.
He leads me by quiet water.
He restores my inner person.
He guides me in right paths forthe sake of his own name.
Even if I pass through death'sdark ravines, I will fear no

(10:34):
disaster, for you are with me.
Your rod and your staffreassure me.
You prepare a table for me.
Even as my enemies watch youanoint my head with oil from an
overflowing cup.
Goodness and grace will pursueme every day of my life and I

(10:55):
will live in the house of Adonaifor years and years to come.
The Lord is my shepherd.

(11:15):
I am never in need.
He makes me lie down in greenpastures.
He leads me beside peacefulwaters.
He renews my soul.
He guides me along the paths ofrighteousness for the sake of
his name.
And even though I walk throughthe dark valley of death,
because you are with me, I fearno harm.

(11:37):
Your rod and your staff give mecourage.
You prepare a banquet for me.
While my enemies watch youanoint my head with oil, my cup
overflows.
Certainly, goodness and mercywill stay close to me all the
days of my life and I willremain in the Lord's house for

(12:00):
days without end.

(12:25):
The Lord is my shepherd.
I have everything I need.
He gives me rest in greenpastures.
He leads me to calm waters.
He gives me strength for thegood of his name.
He leads me on paths that areright.
Even if I walk through a verydark valley, I will not be

(12:47):
afraid because you are with me.
Your rod and shepherd's staffcomfort me.
You prepare a meal for me infront of my enemies.
You pour oil of blessing on myhead.
You give me more than I canhold.
Surely your goodness and lovewill be with me all of my life

(13:18):
and I will live in the house ofthe Lord forever.
Yahweh is my shepherd.
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in greenpastures.
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul.
He guides me in the paths ofrighteousness for his namesake.

(13:40):
Even though I walk through thevalley of the shadow of death, I
fear no evil, for you are withme, your rod and your staff.
They comfort me.
You prepare a table before mein the presence of my enemies.
You have anointed my head withoil.
My cup overflows.

(14:01):
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will pursue me all the
days of my life and I will dwellin the house of Yahweh forever.