[to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.
He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures;
He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
He refreshes and restores my life (my self);
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
[uprightness and right standing with Him–
not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake.
Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear or dread no evil,
for You are with me;
Your rod [to protect]
and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my [brimming] cup runs over.
Surely or only goodness, mercy,
and unfailing love
shall follow me all the days of my life,
and through the length of my days
the house of the Lord [and His presence]
shall be my dwelling place.
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
(Amplified)
That is one of my favorite Psalms that I learned as a child that has taken on more and more significance through the years, especially after walking through the valley of the shadow of death when my first husband died at 28. I especially love the last part about how believers in Jesus Christ shall dwell in the Lord's house, our heavenly home – forever.
My dad used to tease us as kids and say, "I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for 50 days…" and we'd say, "NO DADDY!" "Oh," he'd say, "I meant for 50 years." We'd respond the same, only with more intensity. Then he'd finally say, "No, I meant 5000 years." And in turn we'd shout, "NO! FOREVER!"