The American Indian version of “The Lord Is My Shepherd”
April 13, 2010 by Ed Jansson
Filed under Ed's blog
Several years ago, someone handed me a copy of the Indians version of Psalm 23. This version was taken from the universal Indian sign language. A white missionary, Isabel Crawford, had the sign language translated into English, and the following is the result:
“The Great Father above a Shepherd Chief is. I am His and with Him I want not.
He throws out to me a rope and the name of that rope is love and He draws me to where the grass is green and the water not dangerous, and I eat and lie down and am satisfied. Sometimes my heart is very weak and falls down but He lifts me up again and draws me into a good road. His name is WONDERFUL.
Sometime, it may be very soon, it may be a long, long time, He will draw me into a valley. It is dark there, but I’ll be afraid not, for it is in between those mountains that the Shepherd Chief will meet me and the hunger that I have in my heart all through this life will be satisfied.
Sometimes He makes the love rope into a whip, but afterwards he gives me a staff to lean upon.
He spreads a table before me with all kinds of foods.
He puts His hand upon my head and all the ‘tired’ is gone.
My cup He fills till it runs over. What I tell is true, I lie not.
These roads that are “away ahead” will stay with me through this life and after; and afterwards I will go to live in the Big Tepee and sit down with the Shepherd Chief forever.”
Hopefully, this Indian version will give you new perspective on this beloved Psalm. I’d love to hear your personal stories where “the Lord has been your Shepherd.”
Thanks for sharing this Rev. In my OT studies I remember discussing how shepherd metaphors most always carry a royal connotation (1 Kings 22:17-18; Jeremiah 23:1-4). I think the imagery used in the Native American to English translation (particularly the Shepherd Chief descriptor) is a uniquely and poetically beautiful translation that is amazingly accurate. I think it is a testament to how a Psalm for the Israelites can and should be used for liturgy, prayer and theological reflection for its modern readers of all cultures. Cool!