Commentary on Psalm 23

Just about one year ago a dear friend of mine was diagnosed with West Nile virus. As a complication, he developed Guillain-Barre syndrome and was totally paralyzed. He was making it through each day with intensive hospital care, receiving nourishment through a feeding a tube, and breathing by means of a ventilator. Over the past twelve months he has made very slow but sure improvement, relying upon his Lord Jesus Christ through all the ups, the downs, the turns for the good, and the setbacks.

Many people have been praying for my friend, Clint, and we were all thrilled when, in answer to our prayers, he was weaned from the ventilator last June! But very shortly after that he developed pneumonia and he had to go back on the  ventilator. Now October is rolling around again and Clint is expected to be completely weaned from the ventilator very soon, perhaps this very week. He can sit up now with support and is slowly rebuilding the strength of his muscles. He is strengthening his spiritual health as well, by memorizing Scripture. A recent email from a family member proclaimed that Clint had memorized Psalm 23. One evening when going over his memorization, Clint said that he wanted to make a commentary on the psalm, line by line. So they went through Psalm 23 one line at a time and Clint’s commentary was recorded. I have posted it below for you to read. One thing you need to know before you read is that Clint is from Hawaii and was raised on teriyaki -- a favorite of local people. May you be blessed as you read Clint’s 23rd Psalm commentary.

"The Lord is my everything
He provides everything I need.
He gives me all the food to eat and water to drink that I need because He is the bread of life and the living water.
He makes me alive when I was once dead in my trespasses and sins.
He made me new.
He guides me in all that is right, for He created me to glorify Him.
Even though I'm surrounded by death, He is constantly with me and gives me the peace that only He can give.
His love and discipline put my heart at ease.
He prepares a banquet of the finest foods for me, and we sit together at His table feasting on teriyaki as our enemies look on.
He covers my head with the oil of gladness and I am constantly overflowing with praise and thanksgiving.
I am convinced that His mercy and goodness shall always be mine.
And I will be joyful in His presence forever and ever and ever.
Amen

Clint is an inspiration to all. Even in this long year of illness, he has never lost the spirit of aloha as he has placed his trust in his Good Shepherd. May God continue to bless Clint with peace, grace, and mercy as He restores his health, strength, and vitality.

~Suzie

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