Author: Administrador

The 23rd Psalm is a perennial favorite. And yet for all its familiarity, there may be some nuances to the Psalm we have missed, some reflections scholars might share to deepen our sense of the most comforting words ever composed. Consider one four letter word in verse four: thou. The second-person pronoun “thou” is old … Continue reading “Psalm 23 Commentary by James Limburg”

Everybody knows Psalm 23. In an era of increasing biblical illiteracy, this is an encouraging sign. But what may concern us about Psalm 23 is its reputation — that is, it is known for the most part as a “funeral psalm.” To be sure, it is not a bad thing that Psalm 23 speaks palpably … Continue reading “Psalm 23 Commentary by J. Clinton McCann”

Psalm 23 is one of the best-known and most often-quoted passages in the Bible. The psalm is commonly used in the context of death and the funeral service. But the psalm’s language and imagery may be more fitting for the season of Easter when the Church tries to discern how to live in light of … Continue reading “Psalm 23 Commentary by Jerome Creach”

Psalm 23 is classified as an Individual Psalm of Thanksgiving. In this type of psalm, singers praise God for God’s goodness in delivering them from various life-threatening situations — illness, oppression, enemy attack, etc. In Psalm 23, the psalm singer praises God as the good shepherd who guides the psalmist — as shepherds might guide … Continue reading “Psalm 23 Commentary by Nancy deClaissé-Walford”

Notice this Psalm’s emphasis on our active Lord. In this one Psalm, the Lord is shepherd, host and priest. Shepherding is hard work; constant work, at least. Minimally, it requires skills in leading, restoring, comforting, remaining present, preparing meals, and anointing. It is no wonder that Bobby McFerrin’s musical “commentary” on this Psalm is a … Continue reading “Psalm 23 Commentary by Shauna Hannan”

If you have never preached on Psalm 23 — or if you haven’t preached on it recently — this is the week. Why? Glad that you asked. Psalm 23 is one of the cannot-miss texts for living the Christian life Monday through Saturday. Simply put, the psalm is one of a small set essential texts … Continue reading “Psalm 23 Commentary by Rolf Jacobson”

Consider the vulnerability of a sheep. A sheep is a particularly vulnerable creature, especially when on its own. Sheep need a leader so as not to wander aimlessly, and will follow their leader even into certain danger. Sheep have no defense against predators except for flocking, yet their instinctive flight response to danger can also … Continue reading “Psalm 23 Commentary by Elizabeth Webb”

Every preacher needs at least two sermons on Psalm 23: one for funerals, and another for ordinary time. Because Psalm 23 is so familiar, we’ll look at it in the particular framework of the lectionary texts for the eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Each of these texts show God as the giver, and people responding. This … Continue reading “Psalm 23 Commentary by Nancy Koester”

Many of us can only hear the first line of the Psalm in the King James Version (KJV): “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Many of us can only hear the first line of the Psalm in the King James Version (KJV): “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” With … Continue reading “Psalm 23 Commentary by Joel LeMon”

Well, here you are, wondering whether to take the leap of faith and make Psalm 23 the text for — or at least an important element of — proclamation for the 8th Sunday after Pentecost. You may be aware of Walter Brueggemann’s verdict, namely, that commenting on this psalm is “almost pretentious.”1 If Brueggemann feels … Continue reading “Psalm 23 Commentary by James K. Mead”