A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23

By: W. Phillip Keller

personal copy, paperback 173 pages

Published: 1970, reprint 2007

Genre: Christian devotional, theology

 

I heard several recommendations of this book. Initially, I requested it via Libby ebook and waited quite a while to get it. I started reading it in Libby but was too busy with other things and it autoreturned, so I purchased a copy for myself.

 

This little book has a LOT of post-it notes in it! Since it's my personal copy, I quickly switched to just underlining and writing in the actual book. I'm going to try to just hit a few of the high points here.

 

The author goes over Psalm 23 line by line, making the comparison between actual sheep farming and what Scripture has to say to us. I memorized Psalm 23 quite a few years ago. My mom teared up when I recited it for Ruth Nesbitt at the end of her life. It's good Scripture to know.

 

Page 30: "One of the fallacies that is common among Christians today is the assertion that if a man or woman is prospering materially it is a significant mark of the blessing of God upon his or her life. This simply is not so."

 

I love that in addition to going through the 23rd Psalm thoroughly, he refers to many other Scriptures to point the reader back to God's Word. Here he points out that Revelation 3:17 says, "You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked." There is so much more - read the book!

 

Page 48: "One of the outstanding marks of a Christian should be a serene sense of gentle contentment."

 

This can be a struggle! Trust in the Lord can be my mantra, but if I don't actually LIVE that trust, I miss out on the peace that He intends for me.

 

Page  61: "The biographies of the great men and women of God repeatedly point out how the secret of the success in their spiritual life was attributed to the 'quiet time' of each morning."

This strikes me. My morning is prioritized by drinking coffee, playing my games (Wordle, etc.), and making my list for the day. Morning devotions are important, but I don't focus on them or the Lord as much as on my own "stuff." I think this needs to change!

Page 88: "Our behavior patterns and life habits are so much like that of sheep it is well nigh embarrassing."

As I read this, I thought of my daughter-in-law who raises sheep. I wonder if she would be willing to read this book. I love that the author has a faith-based perspective on both sheep and the Psalm.

Page 134: ". . . do I fully appreciate what it has cost Him to prepare this table for me?"

I too often take Jesus' sacrifice for granted. Time for contemplation and praise need to be a priority in my day.

There are so many other passages that I underlined or marked, but I want to have this book on hand to re-read and pray about. I don't often purchase books any more, but I'm glad I bought this one. After Libby auto-returned it last time, I requested it again. That was on January 6. Here I am on March 16th and Libby says I have an eight week wait! I'm going to cancel my hold. I can read my personal copy at my leisure!