Psalm 23 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.[a]
3     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness[b]
    for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the Lord
    forever.[g]

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 23:2 Hebrew beside waters of rest
2. Psalm 23:3 Or in right paths
3. Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness
4. Psalm 23:6 Or Only
5. Psalm 23:6 Or steadfast love
6. Psalm 23:6 Or shall return to dwell
7. Psalm 23:6 Hebrew for length of days

English Standard Version (ESV)

When sergeant Schlichter set out to fight against NK(인민군) in Kunu-Ri 

after Thanksgiving dinner, he was told he would celebrate X-mas

in the U.S. after mighty U.S. army erases NK on the world map. Instead, 

U.S. soldiers were crushed by Chinese which is not supposed to cross 

Yalu. Schlichter and others were head north toward Yalu and all U.S.

army retreated to South. Prisoners had to spend X-mas in NK and 

U.S. soldiers in SK. 

Can we demand China to explain this violation or sue them?

Trump is in a desperate cash shortage for his Mexican wall and our treasury is in the deep red.

Or he can make a deal (even under the table) of some kind as a proclaimed expert deal maker.

He could demand a substantial sum of compensation from China instead of the damn stupid tariff.

Korean War was a tragedy for Korea as a nation and Korean people. It was a tragedy of

American soldiers who fought the war in an unknown strange country. It was a tragedy of

Chinese volunteers who saved NK on the brink of demise. Korean War solidified the

division of Korea in two countries, NK and SK. Koreans, both North, and South mercilessly

failed in an attempt to unify the country with the forces dependent on foreign nations. Yet

millions of lives were sacrificed with no gain, not to mention casualties. The country

virtually became ashes. People starved to death and fell to illness with poor hygiene

and drinking dirty water. Chinese overwhelmed Americans with the sheer number of soldiers

who were not armed properly,  some had no weapons. Half a million of them get killed.

But they defeated Americans who were the strongest in the world. It was the first victory

over western country in 200 years. They exalted the victory. One hundred year humiliation

was over, indeed. They regained their pride as a super power. Celebration did not last long.

They were economically isolated by the western world. Bamboo curtain did not help either.

Hunger continued until Mao died 1978. Despite of it, China became security blanket of

NK. She exercises the most powerful influence on NK parallel to traditional China-Chosun

relations.  

After World War II, soldiers came back home. They celebrated the victory and

they thought they deserved to cashing in reward of suffering from the war. It was peacetime.

Generals, officers, and soldiers did not think hard wartime training is necessary. 

What they want is peacetime relaxation. They played sports instead of war exercises. 

Congress recommended lessening the number of troops. Booming economy spoiled the spirit

of young men. They had never experienced hardships that their parents did. Just 5 years later, 

another war broke out. It was a surprise to everyone. When these young men mostly 18 to 

20 year old were called for the duty, they were not trained to survive the danger of the war but also

to expel the enemy. Furthermore, they were not informed properly about the enemy and 

Korea in general. They did not know the purpose of the war either. They died more than necessary.

The lack of discipline caused officers' difficulty to command soldiers. Officers had to go to the front.

Most officers died in the Korean War than any other war that Americans participated.

Despite it, Americans repelled NK and Chinese. They had far superior Air Force,

Navy and firepower. Their logistics were much better than their enemies'. They secured

the original territory of SK when the war started.

Americans was not sure about the stretegic importance of SK before the war.

They understood fully the threat of communism in Europe but they weren't sure about it in Asia.

Americans came to a grip on the issue during the Korean War. South Korea is a stepping stone against the

continental power and the forefront of Japan for the security of the Pacific Ocean where America's

west coast is. Americans succeeded in protecting SK from the communism. American youg

men who adored peace time enjoyment came to Korea and fought the war not knowing exactly

why. And they died. But the fruits of their sacrifice were not in vain. Without them the present

day South Korea would have not been possible. SK now is one of the most democratic and

flourishing country in Asia. South Koreans happily enjoying the abundance of capitalism

while their counterpart is suffering from hunger. My appreciation toward those youg Americans

are never ending.