David the shepherd

David sat on a rock in a field.
He played his harp and sang softly.
Not far away the sheep grazed on the green grass.

Today it was easy to find grass for the sheep.
Sometimes David had to work very hard.
He was a shepherd and had to look after his father’s sheep.

Some days he had to take the sheep a long way to get food.

He had to walk over rocky ground, and the sun was very hot.
Some-times the sheep got lost.
Sometimes they fell down steep places, or they were caught in thorn bushes.
But David was kind and good to his sheep and he loved them.

David loved God.
He knew that God took care of him

One night, David was watching the sheep.
A big lion got one of the baby lambs.
God helped David to fight the lion.
He killed the lion and saved the sheep.
God helped him kill a bear, too.

When David had time he made up songs and sang them to God.
He sang a song that said:

The Lord is my shepherd,
I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in fields of green grass
and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.

He gives me new strength.
He guides me in the right paths, as He promised.

Even if I go through the deepest darkness,
I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me.
Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.

You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me.
You welcome me as an honoured guest and fill my cup to the brim.

I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life.
And your house will be my home as long as I live.

Psalm 23.