Sermons from
Park Hill Congregational UCC Denver, Colorado Rev. Dr. David Bahr [email protected] April 18, 2016 “A Progression on Psalm 23” (A "worksheet" is attached at the bottom to create own your own) King James Version (KJV) – Read together The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 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. While it has a certain dated feel to it, for me, there’s nothing like an old King James’ “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” That, and “I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” No modern translation can do those lines justice for me. I wonder, do you know the reason we even have a King James Version? The first English version of the New Testament was translated in 1526 by Willian Tyndale, just 85 years before. Why did they need a new one? Funny: The King thought it was a way to get the Puritans to stop agitating against the abuses of the Church of England. As Congregationalists, they were our spiritual ancestors. I’ve often joked that Unitarians and Congregationalists are the direct descendants of the Pilgrims and Puritans and we are both among the most left leaning of religious traditions – despite their strict and harsh reputations Another history tidbit: What was the difference between a Pilgrim and a Puritan? Pilgrims believed separation was necessary - that the church was so hopelessly corrupt that they could only live separately. Reformation was impossible. Puritans, in contrast, believed the Church of England could be reformed. And many gave their lives trying. But, in fact, even in America, many Puritans still considered themselves good Anglicans. But anyway, the King James project was proposed because the King thought, maybe if the bishops and the Puritans cooperated on a project, they would settle down. How can you fight while translating a new version of the Bible? It didn’t work, but we did get a nice translation out of that conflict. And it became the standard of Protestant Christians for 400 years. There were other translations in between, but none so impactful. Then, in the 1940s, came the Revised Standard Version. This became the new Protestant standard – except among the most conservative and fundamentalist Christians even today, some of whom act as though Jesus himself spoke in the King’s English. Many of us probably grew up using the RSV. I even still have my own personal RSV that every third grader received in Sunday School, my name stamped in gold on the front. The RSV worked directly from the King James, before new scholarship had been discovered – such as the Dead Sea Scrolls. There are many of the same familiar phrases, but not all of them. Look at your handout (each of the following scriptures was on a handout). In the RSV: Revised Standard Version (RSV)[1] The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; - the same, but then what changed? 2 he makes (not makest) me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. (Restoreth was always difficult to say) They took out the “yea, though I walk” and changed it to “even though:” 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; But they did retain the “thees” and “thous.” for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. But then back to: 5 Thou preparest a table before me; thou anointest my head with oil… In the 1980s came the New Revised Standard Version with even more changes, based now on more scholarship. The language was made more inclusive for people – no more brothers but instead brothers and sisters. But language for God was not changed to be more inclusive – a big problem for many. All the “Yeas and thous and preparests” were gone. But they also changed the end of Psalm 23. New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)[2] The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. (the same in each version) 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley... sorry, but that’s not as poetic. And then the ending. It changed! 6 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. Oh well… Among the faults of the NRSV for many people was its stilted language. It doesn’t flow. The King James was more poetic, but less understandable. This was understandable, but difficult because it wasn’t natural to read. People desired a more reader/speaker friendly version, especially for worship. And so dozens of denominations, including the UCC, came together to start over from the original documents. It was original scholarship, not updates of previous versions. But their task was to also write it in a more conversational manner. The way people talk. The way they accomplished this was that they had dozens of church groups around the country read drafts out loud in small groups. They kept doing it until the Common English Bible was ready to be published. And that is what we have been reading in worship and using in Bible Study since last summer. Common English Bible (CEB)[3] The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. (I miss “I shall not want”) 2 He lets me rest (not makes me) in grassy meadows; he leads me to restful waters; 3 he keeps me alive – eh… He guides me in proper paths – eh… for the sake of his good name. 4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley (again, no shadow of death), I fear no danger (not evil) because you are with me. Your rod and your staff (I wish they had made that more understandable for modern times). But while I will say that they made many dramatic improvements throughout the Bible, mostly good, I still miss my two favorite Psalm 23 phrases. I guess this proves I am really a traditionalist about some things. It ends: 6 Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live. Around the same time Eugene Peterson, a brilliant scholar and very perceptive pastor, wrote a dramatic paraphrase called The Message – still faithful to good scholarship, but more concerned with people’s ability to understand and apply their lives. Other paraphrases had been done before – such as the Living Bible one of the most popular in the 1970s. Or The Cotton Patch Bible. But Peterson’s really made the intent of the language so clear: The Message (MSG)[4] 1-3 God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing (and, notice, instead of saying something about God, he made it a prayer to God – I like that). You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. (I like it because I understand it) 4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley (not so much…), I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Yes 6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. “I’m back home.” Some great lines and I commend your reading of his whole translation for your own edification. Spiritual writers – such as Nan Merrill – take it to even another level. Instead of evil she speaks of fear. And throughout her Psalms she addresses God as “the Beloved.” All the language is inclusive. I’ve used her psalms for prayer and meditation for many years – and I’ve written some of them to music. I find them incredibly beautiful and expansive and relatable. Nan Merril, Psalms for Praying[5] O my Beloved, you are my shepherd, I shall not want; 2 You bring me to green pastures for rest and lead me beside still waters renewing my spirit, 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow (what a wonderful image) and of death, I am not afraid; for you are with me forever; your rod and your staff (I would have preferred a different image that I understood the meaning of. But this is one of the best lines: 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of all my fears; you bless me with oil, my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the heart of the Beloved forever. The reason I prepared this sermon today was the inspiration of Guy Harris’ (whose funeral was the day before) own version. This was found on a piece of blue cardstock in his own hand. He wrote “paraphrased in words relevant to me, and my life today.” I especially like how he started by changing shepherd to “loving protector.” Guy Harris “The Lord is my loving protector; I shall be without unfilled wants and needs. (But hear is what really speaks) 4 Even though I walk through hopelessly black trials and temptations, I fear no evil, for you are near me, Your understanding and your power they sustain me. 5 You shower me with abundance as a display to my oppressors; 6 Goodness and love unfailing, these will follow me every day of my life, and I will live in the presence of the Lord my whole life long.” As he said, “paraphrased in words relevant to me, and my life today. Therefore, I thought, with our remaining time, why don’t we consider some words you might use – either starting with the Nan Merrill’s version or Guy’s. But more so, I invited you to take it home to use for your own spiritual exercise. You could even set it aside for a loved one to find so it can be used in your own memorial service one day – hopefully long, long, long from now. "Worksheet" Spiritual Exercise for Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 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. Authorized by King James I of England in 1604, completed in 1611 Revised Standard Version (RSV) The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; 2 he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Revised Standard Version (RSV), copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV) The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 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. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 Common English Bible (CEB) The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. 2 He lets me rest in grassy meadows; he leads me to restful waters; 3 he keeps me alive. He guides me in proper paths for the sake of his good name. 4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger because you are with me. Your rod and your staff—they protect me. 5 You set a table for me right in front of my enemies. You bathe my head in oil; my cup is so full it spills over! 6 Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live. Common English Bible (CEB) Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible The Message (MSG) 1-3 God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. 4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. 5 You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. 6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993-2002 by Eugene H. Peterson The Amplified Bible (AMP) The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. 3 He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord. Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631 Nan Merril, Psalms for Praying O my Beloved, you are my shepherd, I shall not want; 2 You bring me to green pastures for rest and lead me beside still waters renewing my spirit, 3 You restore my soul. You lead me in the path of goodness to follow Love's way. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow and of death, I am not afraid; for you are with me forever; your rod and your staff they guide me, they give me strength and comfort. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of all my fears; you bless me with oil, my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the heart of the Beloved forever. Nan Merril, Psalms for Praying, New York: Continuum, 1999 Now write your own based on hers: O my Beloved, you are my _______________, Therefore, I shall not want; You bring me to ______________ for rest and lead me beside/through ______________ in order to renew my spirit, You restore my soul. You lead me in the path of _______________ So that I may follow Love's way. Even though I walk through ________________, I am not afraid; for you are with me forever; Your _________________ guides me, You give me ____________ and _______________. You prepare a _____________ before me in the presence of all my fears; you bless me with _______, so my ___________ overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the heart of the Beloved forever. Guy Harris “The Lord is my loving protector; I shall be without unfilled wants and needs. 2 He makes me rest in plentiful pastures, and leads me beside tranquil waters; 3 He renews my life within me, and for the sake of His glory He guides me in the right path. 4 Even though I walk through hopelessly black trials and temptations, I fear no evil, for you are near me, Your understanding and your power they sustain me. 5 You shower me with abundance as a display to my oppressors; you have magnificently shown your love and concern for me, and my heart is overflowing with your love. 6 Goodness and love unfailing, these will follow me every day of my life, and I will live in the presence of the Lord my whole life long.” Now write your own based on his: “____________ is/are my _______________; Therefore I shall not be __________________. You make me rest in ________________, and lead me ___________________; You renew my life within me, and for the sake of Your glory You guide me ________________. Even though I walk through __________________, I fear no ____________, for you are near me, Your ___________ and your ___________ sustain me. You shower me with ______________ as a display to my _________; You have magnificently shown your _____________ and _____________ for me, and my heart is overflowing with your _______________. Goodness and love unfailing, these will follow me every day of my life, and I will live in Your presence my whole life long.” [1] 1946 [2] New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 [3] Common English Bible (CEB) Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible [4] The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993-2002 by Eugene H. Peterson [5] Nan Merril, Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness, New York: Continuum, 1999
1 Comment
Jim Cunningham
4/17/2016 07:51:26 am
I took your challenge about the 23rd Psalm and here are my 2 versions:
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