I read a few Psalms to my beloved Red as she passed to what comes next. I was amused with myself as I read her the 23rd.
I was reading the New International Version translation of the ancient song, so clearly the words in front of me were: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he restores my soul.”
But darned if the words that came out of my mouth weren’t: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.”
That darned King James; even after all these years — the NIV came out in 1978 — the old words of his poetry still resonate in my mind.
And such a reassuring message —
“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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies … Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
They may be the most comforting words ever written. OK, I’m prone to hyperbole, but they’re pretty darn good, aren’t they?