“The Lord is My Shepherd” (Psalm 23) in Simple Japanese
One of the Japanese language classes at TCU is called “Japanese Extensive Reading and Listening.” We usually call it “Tadoku” (多読) for short. The word “tadoku” is a combination of the Kanji for “a lot” or “much” (多) and “read” or “reading” (読).
When learning a new language, it’s really important to get as much input as possible at your current level. Linguists call it “comprehensible input.” It’s also important to find things you enjoy, to keep you going.
Our Japanese Tadoku instructor has produced some short videos of stories and prayers from the Bible in simple Japanese. (Of course, “simple” is a relative term. Don’t worry if you don’t find it to be “simple” yet!) Today I’d like to share one of them. It’s “The Lord is My Shepherd” (Psalm 23) in simple Japanese.
- First, watch and read along. Maybe a few times.
- Then, try just listening while looking at just the images.
- Finally, try “shadowing,” where you read along with the narrator, though maybe a split second behind her.
Even if you don’t understand all the words, listen a few times and let it flow over you. And as you do, imagine the good shepherd leading you, the shepherd’s beloved sheep, by still waters that restore your soul.
Enjoy!
Psalm 23・詩篇23篇
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