Early in my career I had the privilege of working in the design department at World Vision International. When I began work on Psalm 23, I was given permission to access their photo library for inspiration for my illustrations, including some of these young shepherds.

PSALM 23 speaks to a child; You are like a little lamb and The Good Shepherd will take care of you.

But it also speaks comfort to the been-around-the-block adult.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me..."

This is a painting I did with my son, Jesse, when he was a boy. He's dreaming of being a brave shepherd tending his sheep like the psalm's author, David.

I gave Jesse permanent marker pens and let him finish the painting. I left the room to keep from art directing. When I returned he had drawn David with his sling and lots of swords and arrows, battling the giant, Goliath.

When I was illustrating this new version of PSALM 23, I asked Jesse again to pose as a shepherd (above).

Jesse now has "little lambs" of his own, and is also a children's book author and illustrator.

Master calligrapher, Connie Smiley, hand-lettered the title and display type for Psalm 23 and many of my other books.