Psalm 23, amplified and paraphrased

In your personal Bible reading have you ever done this?  Take a small section of verses and paraphrased the meaning to yourself and amplified with your own words? This can be especially helpful for verses you have read many times before and have a tendency to blow through quickly.

The Lord, the creator of heaven and earth, and galaxies, stars, and trees and oceans, and every living thing, and gravity and magnetic fields and photosynthesis and warmth and cold, the wind and the rain and the snow, the mountains and the streams.

is my shepherd,  knows me, watches over me, protects me, guides me, 

I shall not want, provides me with all that I need for life and love and joy.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, to smell the grass and feel the warmth of sun on my face, and hear the wind and birds in the trees and refresh my spirit

He leads me beside still waters,  where I can hear the frogs croak and see the water lilies and feel the cool refreshment from my labors. I might even skip a stone or build a rope swing

He restores my soul,  he tells me to close my eyes and take a deep breath and relax letting the tasks and deliverables fade for a few moments and remember what is important

He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.  He reminds me that I am His child and guides me in choices for goodness and kindness and compassion and generosity and service as as a child in His likeness would.  He does not push me but goes ahead of me leading me as I should go. I will follow Him.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Some of the valleys of darkness are a result of my own making, my own poor choices and yet you will not abandon me knowing how fragile I am.   I can survive anything because I am not alone.  What can anyone do to me if you are with me?

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me,  Your discipline is not always pleasant but always leads me to a better place.  You counsel me about limits to keep me from falling and from dark places where destruction awaits.  I am at peace in your discipline and your counsel. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. More than my barest needs you overwhelm me with your generosity. You fill my life to overflowing with richness of joy and peace and love and beauty and flavor and aroma and texture and music.  

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.  With you as my Lord and my guide good things and freedom from performance to prove my value with be the quality of my life each day that I remain here.  And when my time is done here I will join you, my Lord, my Shepherd, my Father in your house and enjoy you forever.