Church gives 23rd Psalm a makeover

They are, after the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments, possibly the most famous words in the Bible.

But now the 23rd Psalm, undoubtedly the best-known and best-loved in the English language, has had a makeover.

In a new version published by the Church of England, the words: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil" are replaced by: "Even if a full-scale violent confrontation breaks out I will not be afraid, Lord." The new version shares with the traditional one the opening line "The Lord is my shepherd", but the psalmist goes on: "He lets me see a country of justice and peace and directs me towards this land" and that His "shepherd's power and love protect me" - instead of "thy rod and thy staff they comfort me".

The 23rd Psalm, rewritten by Pastor Kameeta, of Namibia, is included in the book Pocket Prayers For Justice And Peace, which has been compiled by the charity Christian Aid and will be published in October by Church House Publishing, the Church's books division. A Church House spokesman said: "It is not the Church's new official version of the 23rd Psalm. All the prayers are focused on issues such as debt, the developing world and fair trade.

"The publishers hope people will take a fresh look at some of these issues." He said the King James version of the psalm "stands for all time and will still be used in churches".