Here are my personal thoughts and perspectives when I read one of my favourite memory verses. I wanted to dig deeper than the surface so I asked questions and meditated on the words as I went along. My thoughts are in Blue to separate the original text from the KJV.
The Lord is my shepherd (The lord is a guide, a provider and protector, someone who oversees not only me but a group of followers); I shall not want. (My guide provides for all of my needs.)
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures (Where he guides me leads to rest, abundance and is the perfect place for me): he leadeth me beside the still waters. (Not only does he provide peace but he also quenches my thirsts.)
3 He restoreth my soul: (From where I have fallen or gone astray, he has restored me.) he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Leading connotes that I am following willing, and also in his name sake because my path was not the right path. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.)
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; (Christ lives in me and is with me at all times even the gravest. With him death is only a shadow, because his victory on the cross took away it’s teeth for me and was made hollow. I too will rise again someday, so fear is dispelled.) thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (His rode of correction and staff of guidance help me maintain my daily path.)
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies (Christ invites me to his table to commune with him and part take of his life, and because of this enemies may abound, 1 Timothy 4:10 King James Version (KJV)10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (You have sealed me, blessed me, chosen me and set me aside for your own and because of this I will never thirst again thanks to the endless living water you provide.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (The goodness and mercy left behind which follow are the fruits born because of my path and the following of Christ and the ultimate gift of Grace, eternal life and communion with my creator, the One True God is mine and nothing and no one can change that. John 10:28
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.)
