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God, you are my shepherd,
I want nothing more.
You give me green meadows,
where there is no fear, or friction in the flock,
where there are no flies or parasites to harass me;
you lead me beside restful waters,
where I cannot be swept away by the current,
water bogging down my wool until I drown.
You refresh my spirit.
You guide me to lush new pastures
that I can't overgraze, or wear ruts into,
in my sheeplike heedlessness.
Even if I'm surrounded by shadows of Death,
with ravines, and cliffs, and predators lying in wait,
I fear no danger, for you are with me.
Your rod keeps me from wandering away from you,
and your staff fends off predators —
you give me courage.
You make a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies,
and you generously spread healing oil on my head,
to keep away the flies, and to soothe my sunburn —
I am bursting with joy!
Only goodness and lovingkindness
will pursue me
all the days of my life.
and I will be a sheep in your tents, God,
world without end.
— Translation by Mary W. Matthews, M.T.S. (Septuagint)
and the Rev. Pat V. Pickett, D.Min. (Masoretic).