The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.

I have heard this psalm more often than I have prayed it. But at age 19 I gave three sermons on the 23rd psalm. I was serving as an assistant chaplain at a state park in Southern Illinois. The sermons were short, silly Sunday meditations. But in the setting and the response there is a precious memory. For a few days I will see what meaning I can find today.