A Psalm of David
Amplified Bible (AMP)
1 The LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. Thank You, Father God, that You tenderly anticipate everything I need. You lovingly provide for me with excellence and precision. You desire to guide and offer divine protection from evil. Even during this season of suffering, You are ever-present and care for my needs. As Your beloved child, You promise to meet my needs. Thank You that You won’t forget. You won’t delay or miss providing exactly what I need.
2 He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. Bless our good Shepherd! You desire and make a way for peace in difficult circumstances. Lord, help me to rest in every way: emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally. Thank You for Your promised Presence and pure living water.
3 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. Holy Spirit, restock what has been depleted in my soul right now. Father, please restore, refresh and rebuild! Thank You that You show the way to walk in relationship with Jesus. You delight when we hold hands with Him whether we stroll level paths or struggle to climb difficult heights. What a gift! You are so good to us.
4 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. Sooner or later, each of us walks through a dark season of grief or loneliness or fear. The spirit of hopelessness and death may sometimes breathe down the back of my neck; but You, O God, breathe strength to continue and You rebuke all evil. Thank You, Father, when You rebuke evil it must leave! May I not get stuck in that valley, but walk through it with the bravery You impart. Bring safe passage to the other side, and may Your Light and Your Love envelope me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. How amazing that You make the enemy watch as You lavishly spread the table with nourishing and beautiful food for my spirit. The table is fellowship. The table is sacred. Your Word, O God, is life to me. You speak life and peace and hope and there is joy. Hallelujah! The anointing of Your Spirit is priceless and incomparable to anything the world offers. May the enemy cringe and shrink back because of Your lavish love for me. Fill me with overflowing love, joy and peace that those who observe would know it is You, Lord.
6 Surely 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. I pray that Your unfailing love would follow and surround me. You are merciful and kind, Lord. There is no one like my God! Thank You that I can dwell in You and with You and be surrounded by You, all at the same time! In You I live and move and have my very being (Acts 17:28) Thank You that I can literally abide in You and draw life from You.
Be honored today Father God. I recognize You as the One and Only Sovereign Holy God over all the universe. I trust in You and thank You for an open-door kind of relationship with You through Your beautiful Son, Jesus, my glorious Savior! Because of Him, I have full access to You at all times and in every way.
In the perfect Name of Jesus I pray. Amen and amen.
