love...joy...peace...patience...kindness...goodness...faithfulness...gentleness...self-control

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Shepherd Creator

A few years ago I studied the 23rd Psalm using the traditional words from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.  It was a fascinating study looking at each verse and word and how it fit into context with the work of an actual Shepherd and how that context could lift more meaning into the psalm.

There is nothing static about the Word of God.  It is a living Word.  Full of meaning today just as it was yesterday.  It also moves and breathes through all cultures and contexts, God transcends All and is able to speak to each.

I am very interested in Native American spirituality - well the truth is I am interested in all spirituality and the more I study and learn, the more our interconnectedness becomes undeniable.  My mom happened to text me the other morning and wanted me to read the 23rd Psalm.  This version came to my mind and I thought I would share it for your consideration and prayer.

Native American Version of the 23rd Psalm

The Great Father above is a Shepherd Chief. I am His and with Him I want not.
He throws out to me a rope
and the name of the rope is Love
and He draws me to where the grass is green
and the water not dangerous
and I eat and am satisfied.

Sometimes my heart is very weak
and falls down
but He lifts me up again
and draws me into a good road.
His name is Wonderful.

Sometime, and it may be very soon,
it may be very long, long in time
He will draw me into a valley.
It is dark there, but I'll be afraid not,
for it is in between those mountains
that the Shepherd Creator will meet me
and the hunger that I have in my heart
all through this life will be satisfied.

He gives me a staff to lean upon.
He spreads a table before me
with all kinds of food.
He puts His hand upon my head
and all the "tired" is gone.
My cup He fills till it runs over.
What I tell is true.
I lie not.

These roads that are away ahead
will stay with me through life and after,
and afterwards I will go to live
in the Big Tepee and sit down
with the Shepherd Chief forever.

So be it.

~Author Unknown

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