You remember, I've shared with you different parodies that are written on Psalm 23.

I've started a new one today.

And here's how it goes.

The Lord is my pace-sitter.

I shall not rush.

He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.

He provides me with images of stillness which restores my serenity.

He leads me in the ways of efficiency through calmness of mind and his guidance as peace.

Even though I have great many things to accomplish each day, I will not fret, for his presence is here. His timelessness,

his all importance will keep me in balance. He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst

of my activity by anointing my mind with his oil and of tranquility. My cup of joyous energy overflows. Surely harmony

and effectiveness has been the fruits of my hours, for I shall walk in the pace of the Lord

and dwell in his house forever. Indeed, the last two verses of Psalm 23 are to do with living a tranquil life in the presence of God,

of how to be peaceful in the midst of trouble.

Verse 5, turn with me if you have your Bibles, so verse 5 of Psalm 23.

It's all too familiar a Psalm.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemy.

You anoint my head with oil. The psalmist is going through the annual routine of a shepherd.

We saw how he was taking the shepherd at the springtime, going through this winding roads, going through all these treacherous roads, going through these valleys that are all shadowed and dark

to get up to the mountaintop in the summertime.

And here he comes to the table land.

He comes up to the mountain top where there is a magnificent spread of grass. And the sheep was unafraid

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