A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23

This book makes an EXCELLENT gift! We all have seasons of struggle in our lives and need encouragement in getting through them. The author gives some very helpful wisdom and advice in how to handle them!

The author, a real shepherd, does a simply fantastic job of drawing comparisons between the occupation of a shepherd and the life and actions of Christ and the analogy of the shepherd in the Bible is fulfilled through His life and sacrifice. I've read this at least once a year since receiving it in 2008, and have given it out many, many times. Highly recommended!

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23I have never much enjoyed art galleries. This may be a little-known fact, but I am color-blind, and I'm sure this explains why art has never had much appeal to me. After all, if I see reds, greens and browns all as shades of brown, surely art is far less appealing to me than to those whose eyes work as they were meant to. But I remember one time when I was a teenager, my family travelled to Washington, D.C. with my aunt and uncle, both of whom are artists. Walking with them through the National Gallery brought about an entirely different perspective. Because they understood art, they were able to explain it to me in a way I had never considered. They showed me variations in texture, spoke about the difficulty of different types of shadowing and lighting, and the different media artists use. It opened my eyes, and in that period of time I came to understand and appreciate art so much more deeply than I had before, despite my limitations.

I think also of a small museum that was situated on the grounds of an airport near my house. This museum housed some of the finest vintage aircraft in the world, including the world's only Lancaster bomber that was still in operational condition and that still flew. It often took to the skies and flew over my home. It was one thing for my friends and myself to go and look at all the planes, perhaps even imagining that we understood what it was like to stare out at a cold, dark sky, keeping a watchful eye for enemy planes. But it was another thing altogether to watch the veterans who had given their best years to the war, and who had spent countless hours inside these planse - so many hours that they still knew the planes inside and out, even fifty years later. The tears in their eyes as they watched the Lancaster fly over their heads spoke of a knowledge far beyond anything I would ever understand.

All this by way of introducing the book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. Just like an artist best appreciates an art museum and a veteran best appreciates the aircraft he once flew, in the same way there may be no better guide for the twenty-third Psalm than a shepherd. Phillip Keller grew up in East Africa, in the midst of a culture that was still rooted in the ancient traditions which the Psalmist knew. Keller was also, for many years, a shepherd, who was well acquainted with the language David employed in this best-loved Psalm.

Keller guides us phrase-by-phrase through this poem, pausing often to reflect on the nature of the shepherd and his flock, and stopping to give stories based on his experiences. He guides the reader throughout to reflect on the love of the Savior and to see the deepest meanings in each part of the Psalm. The reader will find, as the author did, that "...it is no mere whim on God's part to call us sheep. Our behavior patterns and life habits are so much like that of sheep it is well nigh embarrassing" (page 65).

At times I wonder if Keller has not stretched the metaphor just a little bit too far. For example, he contends that the meaning of "thou preparest a table for me" is not that God has prepared a banquet feast, as I have long supposed, but that "table" refers to the top of a hill which a shepherd diligently prepares before the arrival of his flock for their summer pasturage. "Thou anointest my head with oil," according to the author, is drawn from the shepherd's task of putting oil on a sheep's head to ward off the pests that can drive a sheep to distraction. I must say, though, that he provides ample evidence that perhaps we have misunderstood the latter part of the Psalm and that David really was holding to the metaphor of sheep and shepherd.

In either case, it does not detract from the book. This is a wonderful little book that gave me much to think about, and as my wife can attest, plenty to talk about. Above all, it led me to understand, in a deep and moving way, just how much the shepherd (and thus the Shepherd) loves his (His) sheep. It shows just how involved in the lives of his flock the shepherd must be, and how utterly helpless the sheep are without him (Him). It is amazing how much I learned about a Psalm I thought I knew so well.

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 is a fascinating, moving book and one whose content will undoubtedly stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend this book - it will cost only a few dollars and take only a few hours to read - for any believer, young or old.

We used this book in our adult Sunday School class, over a 10-week period. It led to lively discussions, and the reading/prep for class was very inspiring. I have shared this book with others, and the universal response is that this book is a marvelous in-depth look into the 23rd Psalm, probably the most beloved, best-known of the Psalms.

Keller's book has personalized the 23rd Psalm in such a way that I feel like a truly beloved sheep of the Good Shepherd. I am now using this book in my local church's study group and receiving a great response.

The book has gone thru multiple revisions. I happen to have two-this one and a more recent. The latter has more applicable reflection.

It's still a good book. I find it is a thought-provoking and valuable, spiritual read. If you only have access to this edition-buy it in spite of my review.

More people would benefit from the revelation of what the best known psalm actually MEANS from a shepherd's perspective.

This is a familiar passage of scripture for most Christians, but the author was a shepherd of sheep and really does an especially good job of enriching how God cares for us as a Shepherd cares for his sheep. Very enjoyable reading.

This book explains how the Holy Spirit of God enables us to realize that Jesus Christ is our good shepherd. We are loved, provided for, kept out of danger and protected! We are then encouraged to allow the Holy Spirit to raise our consciousness of the presence of The Good Shepherd in our lives. Our love of Jesus is not so much emotional, as it is a relationship of service, gratitude and mutual assurance of who we are to one another!
This is foundational reading for everybody, everywhere!!

One of my favorite books. How a true shepherd looks at Psalm 23. It opened my eyes to the richness of God, he knows every intimate detail of our lives. He cares and provides for the lost sheep... We are the sheep of His pasture.

The BEST book (other than the Bible) that tells Christians that there's someone still living in spirit who guides us if we serve Him. It also should make leaders of churches realize their great responsibility before God in shepherding a flock of His people.

I purchased this book for its spiritual content, but this purchase coincided with our aquisition of three sheep on our small farm. The author takes the reader through intricate descriptions of what each verse of Psalms 23 means to the responsible, loving, busy, toiling Mediterranean shepherd. The deep spiritual insight is an amazing blessing. This book surprisingly served as a manual for sheep-keeping and by the end of the book we sold our sheep. What a blessing to realize that all we, like sheep, are difficult and complex and that God doesn't sell us to the first sheep trader that comes along. An excellent read giving insight into God's limitless dedication to us!

This is a must read...for anyone wanting to understand Psalm 23 from the point of view of a shepherd, its intended context. My brother gave me this book years ago and I have used it in small group Bible studies and with youth groups (one chapter per session). The author has extensive experience as an actual shepherd and provides insight as to the meaning of each verse, in the context of his experience as a herder. I recently gave this book as a gift, and in the thank you note I received, my friend wrote, "I can never thank you enough for your gift of A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. It has changed my thinking completely about the 23rd Psalm. When I began reading it, I could not put it down...I raced through it, devouring every word and thought...I am now reading it for the second time more slowly and letting the Holy Spirit speak to my heart...." I highly recommend the book.
Shepherdgirl

An inspirational guide to understanding the 23rd Psalm and how we are well cared for sheep. The love of our Shepherd is clearly and understandably stated. To read it, is to understand yourself better and understand the love of our Shepherd for us.

This is incredibly insightful information from the shepherd's point of view. I read the book as part of a bible study group and we all got a lot out of it. I bought a copy for myself and am giving them out to others. It's short, organized well, and a quick read. I highly recommend this book.

GET THIS BOOK!

Where ever you are in your Christian walk, this book is so helpful in breaking down the Psalms in shepherds terms. Great read and will definitely pass this along when we are finished.

A first hand account of a shepherd and the nature of sheep with biblical application being make of the believer in Jesus Christ to the one true Good Shepherd. After reading and reflecting on these truths one can not be unaffected. I would definitely recommend. I've ordered quite a few and given them as gifts.