I Lack Nothing. Dangit.

Wednesday, August 06, 2014 Posted by Katie

I was feeling pretty grumbly today after a long work day and a difficult bedtime with the kiddos. I started my third job of the day (all the stuff I am responsible for after the kids are in bed) choosing to feast on some pretty big helpings of self-pity and covetousness.

Imagine my delight when I remembered that tonight was my turn here at the Daily Fast Fuel to write about verse “1” of the 23rd Psalm. Oh...that’s right. <Insert heavy sarcasm here> “The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing.” Dangit. I lack nothing?? Really?

I tried a few reframing thoughts to get myself in the game: “Self, remember that you didn’t wake up in a bomb shelter today, or wonder where your food was coming from.”

No good. I’m still drenched in enough selfishness tonight to feel a bitter about the "nothingness" that I lack. I’m an honest sinner. What can I say? I try to keep things real around here. (you're welcome.)

So I tried scripture instead (crazy, I know). As I recall, the translation of Psalm 23 which I remembered from my youth didn't even say “I lack nothing.” It said, “I shall not want”. I don’t particularly like that version much better, but I figured, hey, maybe if I dig a little, I’ll find a translation that I DO like. Here’s what I found:

New International Version: The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

New Living Translation: The LORD is my shepherd. I have all that I need.

English Standard Version: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Holman Christian Standard Bible: The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

God’s Word Translation: The LORD is my shepherd. I am never in need.

King James 2000 Bible: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not lack.

Guess what?

I don’t like those either.

Then the Lord hit me over the head with a frying pan.

When I came to... I saw this:

New International Version: The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

New Living Translation: The LORD is my shepherd. I have all that I need.