After much thought and reading and meditation, I have come to the conclusion that I do have a unique and personal connection to the 23rd Psalm. Much of this has to do with a book that was at once frustrating, compelling, and enlightening. This book, A Shepherds Look at Psalm 23 (W. Phillip Keller; Zondervan; 2007) originally published in 1970, explains the symbolism and relevance David uses to describe The Good Shepherd (one of the Hebrew names of God: Jehovah-Raah).
So, I have made it mine. Yes, I am "adding to" the original, but do not think I am passing it off as canon or inspired to be a "new word from God" - it is just my personalization and fresh understanding of what finally makes perfect sense to me:
The LORD [the one and only Jehovah-Raah] is my shepherd [because He has claimed ME as one of His flock], I shall not [have any reason to] want [anything or anyone other than Him and what He provides, because He provides more than I can even think to ask for].
He makes me [comfortable enough by the peace and security that He provides to] lie down in green pastures [without worry or anxiety of attack from within or without].
He leads me beside still waters [that He has proven and tested for purity, because if He doesn't He knows I'll wander off to look for and find my own water source with impurities that will not quench my thirst but very likely pollute myself].
He restores my soul [when I fall and can't get back on my own two feet, though I struggle and thrash about in vain attempts to right myself without relying on His loving, gentle hand to lift me up].
He leads me in paths of righteousness [because the rut that I put myself in leads to stagnation, loneliness, self-absorption, and destruction] for His name's sake [for my benefit and His glory].
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death [because I will receive persecution for following You], I will [strive to learn to] fear no evil for You are with me [and You are big enough to handle whatever attack may come, prepared to provide for my every need; and are equipped with] Your rod [with which You can defend me and discipline me] and staff [which reaches out to me in guidance and always lets me know you are with me so] they comfort me.
You [have gone to great lengths of going before me, scouting for hazards and provisions to] prepare a table [of provision and life] before me [with Your ever vigilant watch knowing that I will be] in the presence of my enemies [yet secure that as I remain close to you, their attacks are futile and fended off by Your presence];
You anoint my head with oil [a medicine, a repellent, and a buffer, knowing that I will encounter parasitical doubters trying to draw me away from your peace, and I will encounter others of Your followers with which I will have conflict, jealousies, with which I will butt heads because we are human and let that get in the way of seeing Your way of love for each other];
[And because I give myself wholly over to You, growing ever closer, in more and more trust] my cup overflows [with the blessings You want to give, the peace that comes from knowing that I'm not living a life of wandering, and the hope of continuing to live in Your presence for eternity].
Surely [as I strive to give to those around me the same love You show me, Your] goodness and mercy shall follow me [as a testament to Your good care and attention] all the days of my life [bearing witness that You are my Good Shepherd, Jehovah-Raah, still blessing me but also now blessing others through my witness],
And I will [joyously, gratefully, willingly] dwell [not just visit] in the house of the LORD forever [beginning with today as I journey through this earthly life, awaiting the green pastures of home - heaven].
