Psalm 23: My shepherd is the Lord - Joseph Gelineau

Translated into ASL by David Bar-Tzur

Created 18 November 2008, links updated monthly with the help of LinkAlarm.

EXPLANATION OF THE GLOSSING SYSTEM
(to understand how I describe the signs in this translation).

Refrain: MY SHEPHERD WHO? THE-rt LORD.
ME L-A-C-K SOMETHING NEVER.

1. THE-rt LORD MY SHEPHERD.
ME L-A-C-K SOMETHING NEVER.
HE-rt ALLOW US REST WHERE?
GRASS THEREABOUTS FRESH AND GREEN.
NEAR WATER CALM, HE-rt LEAD ME.
MY SPIRIT DEPRESSED NOW THRILLED. Refrain

2. HE-rt GUIDE ME WALK RIGHT WAY.
EVERYTHING HE-rt PROMISE, HE-rt D-O-I-T.
SUPPOSE ME WALK IN VALLEY DARK,
ME NOT NEED FEAR EVIL.
YOU-rt THERE WITH YOUR ROD AND STAFF.
TWO-OF-THEM GIFT-TO ME COMFORT. Refrain

3. YOU-rt PLAN BANQUET FOR ME
WHILE MY ENEMY MANY-WATCH.
O-I-L, MY HEAD ANOINT.
MY CUP OVERFLOW. Refrain

4. TRUE-BIZ GOOD THINGS AND KIND WILL FOLLOW
EVERYDAY ME LIVE.
ME LIVE IN LORD HIS-rt HOUSE
FOREVER-AND-EVER. Refrain

5. ANNOUNCE HEAVENLY-FATHER AND SON HAVE GLORY.
ANNOUNCE HOLY SPIRIT HAVE GLORY.
MEAN GOD NOW, BEFORE, AND FUTURE
FOREVER-AND-EVER. Refrain


Notes: THE - Underlined words are honorific indices ("indexes"), using the FT of the upturned palm to indicate who is being honored.

SHEPHERD - SHEEP SUPERVISE AGENT.

FRESH - (2h)[5], PO > face, hands move like FRIENDLY but fingers don't wg.

FEAR - (2h)[5], POs away, FOs up, hands are held far from body and move back to body in a wavy pattern.

EVIL - (2h)[3], wg while moving repeatedly > forehead. For an animated gif of this sign, see Valley Bible Church - ASL dictionary: Satan.

ROD - (2h)[C], POs ><, FOs away, are held with DH above and touching NDH. DH moves upwards.

STAFF - (2h)[F], POs > DS, FOs away. Hands are held with thumbsides touching. DH moves > NDS then > DS in C shape, like a shepherd's crook.

GIFT-TO - (2h)[X], POs ><, FOs up, nod downwards at wrist to show that something is given as a gift.

BANQUET - (2h)alt.EAT. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Feast.

MANY-WATCH - (2h)[4], POs down, FOs away, turn hands so that the FO is > signer's face, then hands move in vertical circles normal (perpendicular) to the torso.

ANOINT - [A dot] circles head with DH thumb pointing down.

OVERFLOW - [5], PO down, FO away, covers top of [S], PO > DS, FO away, and FT wiggle as the hand moves away, like a cup overflowing. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - overflow.

TRUE-BIZ - TRUE + (2h)[S], POs down, FOs away, DH brushes from side to side across NDH wrist.

FOREVER-AND-EVER - ALWAYS + DH [Y], PO > signer, FO up, swings outwards with PO turning away. With DH still held in its final position, NDH [Y], PO > signer, FO up, swings outwards with PO turning away.

HEAVENLY-FATHER - (2h)[A], FOs up, DH is held against forehead, NDH close to but lower, both hands open to (2h)[5] while moving upwards. HEAVEN may be added to this. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Heavenly Father - 1.

GLORY - (2h)[5], POs ><, FOs away from signer, DH which is on top wiggles fingers while ascending. For an animated gif of this sign, see Animated dictionary of religious signs - Deaf Missions: Glory.

HOLY - H-CLEAN. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Holy - 1.

Lyrics:

Refrain: My shepherd is the Lord, nothing shall I want.

1. The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me,
to revive my drooping spirit.

2. He guides me along the right path;
he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort.

3. You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing.

4. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord's own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever.

5. To the Father and Son give glory
give glory to the Spirit.
To God who is, who was, and who will be
for ever and ever.

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