PSALM 23

ESV

1 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 paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will 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 forever.

NIV

1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will 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 your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

CSB

1The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need.  2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters.  3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake.  4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, 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 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life,  and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live. 

MESSAGE

1 God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. 2 You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. 3 True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. 4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. 5 You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. 6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.

AMPLIFIED

1 The Lord is my Shepherd to feed, to guide and to shield me I shall not want. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. 3 He refreshes and restores my soul, MY life; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the sunless valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod to protect and Your staff to guide, they comfort and console me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever throughout all my days in the house and in the presence of the Lord.

ANTI-PSALM 23
1 I am on my own. I have unending needs, wants and frustration.
2 I am restless on a merry-go round and like a tossed wave of the sea.
3 My soul is overwhelmed with brokenness and disappointment from my selfishness.
4 I stumble and fall in the clouds of darkness over my life. I am haunted by depression and death.
5 I go without friends, family, food and experience a complete emptiness of life.
6 What is the point? Is there hope? Where do I turn?