The day after I published “The Lord is My Everything: Psalm 23 in the Letter E,” I received another entry in our Psalm 23 Alphabet from my friend, Joy Lenton.
Joy and I are both part of the Godspace community. We both love books, dark chocolate, and great conversation. She is a former nurse from Norfolk, UK, a contemplative Christian writer, poet, blogger, and the author of Embracing Hope: Soul Food to Help Chase Away the Blues.
Although Joy is in a season of rest and not as active online these days, she graciously agreed to let me share her reflection on Psalm 23. Thank you, Joy!
Psalm 23 Inspired by the Letter I
by Joy Lenton
The Immortal one is my ideal investor;
I shall not be impoverished
because he has immense and incalculable worth.
He invites me to immerse myself
in his inspirational and indulgent fields.
He implores me to receive his invigorating touch
and restorative seal.
Instead of allowing me to fall
into ignorant or indiscriminate holes,
he gives me invisible power to rise up invincible and strong.
I will not idly stumble into idolatrous, immoral, illicit or idiotic ways
because he identifies the impure snares before me
and immediately rushes to illuminate and invade.
Whether I act immaturely, impetuously or illustriously,
he is with me always,
informing me of his incredible incarnation
in all my living and dying days.
God gives me invisible power to rise up invincible and strong.
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My Abba Psalm (in A) – Elfrieda Schroeder
Abba is my Alpha and my Omega.
Absolute rest beside green pastures and aquamarine streams
acquiesce my soul to acquire the right paths for my Abba’s sake.
I am not afraid even though I walk through alleys.
Abba, you are with me.
Your arms around me
give me absolute assurance.
Abundance at my table astounds my archenemies
You anoint my head with oil.
Abba, it is above and beyond what I need!
Astounding assurance of your absolute love
assists me always.
I will abide in Abba’s abode all of my days.
Psalm 23 Brought to You by the Letter B – April Yamasaki
He binds up my brokenness.
He bears me on the best byways
because of his benevolence.
Even when I am bewildered and bleary,
I can be brave,
for you are behind me, before me, beside me.
Psalm 23 in the Key of C – James Matichuk
My Creator is caretaker and captain,
with him I crave nothing
At his command, I lay couched in clover,
he carries me to where calm currents run their course,
He cleanses and collects me—
my cowardly, crumbled soul.
Psalm 23 in the Letter D – Chris Wallace
Declarations of delight and desire do not dwindle for days,
and I definitively dwell with the Divine
for decades and decades of dawns!
Psalm 23 in the Letter E – April Yamasaki
Surely you enlighten and empower me
every day I exist on this earth,
and I will exult in my Lord, my Everything,
for all eternity.
Psalm 23 in the Letter F – Clifton Roth
The faithful Father fulfills me.
He frees me from frenzy
and the fury of frantic feelings;
He freshens my fortitude.
He firms up my footing,
affirming the fame of his Fatherliness.
Finding myself in foggy frame of mind, I fear no foe,
for I am fastened to you.
You fend off fierce foxes and you feel my feelings.
You fix a feast for me in front of ferocious fools.
Your favor falls freely down onto my forehead and face,
my flagon is full and flowing over.
For your friendship and faithful love is fail-proof
and will fervently follow me,
and I will be fulfilled in Father’s family forever.
Psalm 23 in the Letter G – April Yamasaki
Even though I grumble
and groan at the gloom of death,
I grasp your hand for you are with me.
You guard and ground and grow me.
You gather me in for the grand gala,
while others might glance and glare;
I glow in gleaming garments and golden garland;
my goblet overflows.
Psalm 23 in the Letter H – April Yamasaki
When my heart is heavy and the days are hard,
I hold on, hang on,
to your hand that holds me:
your hedge of protection, my haven from harm,
your Holy Spirit, my Highest Help.
Psalm 23 in El – Mel Sawatzky
He liberates my languishing soul
by leading me down His lane that’s laudable,
even though I limp through the lowlands of lingering lament.
I am Li-on- heart-ed for there is no lack of strength.
Psalm in the Letter M – Melodie Davis
Surely his mysterious mercy shall follow me mindfully
all the measure of my marvelous life:
and I will mellow in the house of my Maker for millennia.
The Lord is My Provider – Phyllis Ramer
Your presence permeates my person.
Your parenting and protection provide for my well-being.
You prepare a party for me in the presence of my perpetrators.
You pour promises into my soul.
Psalm 23 in the Letter Q (with a bit of ‘K’) – Carole Sparks
The Quintessential One is my keeper; He quenches every quandary.
He quiets me in exquisite quadrants.
We quest beside quiescent waters.
He quickens my quiddity.
He quarterbacks me in qualities of His quintessence
for the sake of his kudos.
You construct a banquet before me
with a quorum of my enemies;
you quench my head with oil;
I quaff what cannot be quantified.
Psalm 23 in the Letter R – Rita Enns
Surely God’s riches and redeeming love
will take me through the rest of my life,
and I will rejoice when I reach my final destination.
What a reunion that will be!
Psalm 23 in the Letter S – Carole Sparks
The Sovereign is my shepherd,
I am sufficiently supplied.
He settles me in a supple country side,
He escorts me beside silent streams,
He strengthens my soul.
Writing/Reflection Prompt: We have now completed 15 of the 26 letters of the alphabet! Please feel free to choose another letter and add your version in the comments, post your link, or contact me, so I can add your paraphrase to my list.
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For more on everyday acts of faith,
April Yamasaki 
I am more than “stunned” as I read all these “alphabet letter” versions of Psalm 23. But it is also such a blessing to read these thoughts about our Shepherd provisions. I’d encourage more writers/persons to keep selecting yet another “letter”