Psalm 23

[contemplative]

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul.
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For thou art with me.
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou anointest my head with oil.
My cup runneth over,
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23

I have an article from a 1926 December issue of National Geographic Magazine titled Among the Bethlehem Shepherds. The article is described as “A visit to the valley which David probably recalled when he wrote the twenty-third Psalm” The author of the article is John D. Whiting. It includes a number of photos of shepherds from this same valley. Unfortunately I am not able to share these photos which are not yet under public domain. I can share various quotations from the article as well as my own words paraphrasing what I’ve read. Rather than just rattle off unsolicited information about this article and Psalm 23 I’ll leave it up to you to ask me questions about Psalm 23. Ask me questions and I will share what I’ve read. I’ll check this thread once per day and reply to only one question per day.

So to get started here is a quotation from the first page of the article. If you don’t ask questions you’ll never know Psalm 23 in a more intimate way…unless of course you get your hands on a 1926 issue of National Geographic Magazine and read for yourself.

The peasant shepherd boy is usually the youngest male laborer of the family. As the oldest son grows up to help the father with the sowing, plowing, reaping, threshing, and olive picking, a younger takes his place with the flock; and so on down the line until the lot of being the family shepherd finally falls to the youngest. Thus it was with the youth David, who even when in later life he became psalmist and king, failed not to recall his boyhood shepherd days, and in thinking thereon to weave their romance into his sublime poetry.

 

[contemplative]

Rather than just rattle off unsolicited information about this article and Psalm 23 I’ll leave it up to you to ask me questions about Psalm 23. Ask me questions and I will share what I’ve read. I’ll check this thread once per day and reply to only one question per day.

No questions today?

 

[kellie]

What sort of questions?

We all understand what Psalm 23 is about

 

[johnbres2]

ok, I have a question: why did you cite the 23rd psalm from the King James Version of the Bible?

 

[contemplative]

ok, I have a question: why did you cite the 23rd psalm from the King James Version of the Bible?

This distinction was not made in the article…that is… which version of the Bible the author quoted. My OP contains the identical Bible passage refered to in the article.

Only you are making this distinction which is in my opinion irrelevant compared to the richness of this article.

Perhaps some are not sure where to go with this thread.
A sample question someone might have is…
I don’t understand the meaning of a shepherd’s rod and staff. I have a hard time visualizing what David might have been thinking when he wrote “your rod and staff, they comfort me” What is the experience David might have been drawing from when he wrote this?

 

[Della]

Well, I know what the rod and staff were meant to do (the first was for defense of the sheep and the latter for bringing back into the fold, which is why our bishops’ staffs are shaped like large hooks).

I found the paragraph you quoted interesting, though:

The peasant shepherd boy is usually the youngest male laborer of the family. As the oldest son grows up to help the father with the sowing, plowing, reaping, threshing, and olive picking, a younger takes his place with the flock; and so on down the line until the lot of being the family shepherd finally falls to the youngest. Thus it was with the youth David, who even when in later life he became psalmist and king, failed not to recall his boyhood shepherd days, and in thinking thereon to weave their romance into his sublime poetry.

What I think telling is that the youngest of the families’ boys were sent out to tend/guard the sheep. That means that the angels appeared to boys, not men, to tell them about the birth of Christ. And so, the first to hear about the birth of the Messiah were young people. Now, what a great homily subject that would make!

 

[Della]

Well, I know what the rod and staff were meant to do (the first was for discipline/defense of the sheep and the latter for bringing back into the fold, which is why our bishops’ staffs are shaped like large hooks).

I found the paragraph you quoted interesting, though:

The peasant shepherd boy is usually the youngest male laborer of the family. As the oldest son grows up to help the father with the sowing, plowing, reaping, threshing, and olive picking, a younger takes his place with the flock; and so on down the line until the lot of being the family shepherd finally falls to the youngest. Thus it was with the youth David, who even when in later life he became psalmist and king, failed not to recall his boyhood shepherd days, and in thinking thereon to weave their romance into his sublime poetry.

What I think telling is that the youngest of the families’ boys were sent out to tend/guard the sheep. That means that the angels appeared to boys, not men, to tell them about the birth of Christ. And so, the first to hear about the birth of the Messiah were young people. Now, what a great homily subject that would make!

 

[Della]

Well, I know what the rod and staff were meant to do (the first was for discipline/defense of the sheep and the latter for bringing them back into the fold, which is why our bishops’ staffs are shaped like large hooks).

I found the paragraph you quoted interesting, though:

The peasant shepherd boy is usually the youngest male laborer of the family. As the oldest son grows up to help the father with the sowing, plowing, reaping, threshing, and olive picking, a younger takes his place with the flock; and so on down the line until the lot of being the family shepherd finally falls to the youngest. Thus it was with the youth David, who even when in later life he became psalmist and king, failed not to recall his boyhood shepherd days, and in thinking thereon to weave their romance into his sublime poetry.

What I think telling is that the youngest of the families’ boys were sent out to tend/guard the sheep. That means that the angels appeared to boys, not men, to tell them about the birth of Christ. And so, the first to hear about the birth of the Messiah were young people. Now, what a great homily subject that would make!

 

[dessert]

No questions today?

You missed (for His name’s sake) in verse 3
That version looks the same as in my RSV CE version
Here is the NAB
The Lord The Shepherd and The Host
"The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures you let me graze; to saafe waters you lead me;
you restore my strength.
You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name.
Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side;
Your rod and staff give me courage.
You set a table before me as my enemies watch;
You annoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life.
I will dwell in tthe house of the Lord for years to come.
return

 

[contemplative]

Well, I know what the rod and staff were meant to do (the first was for discipline/defense of the sheep and the latter for bringing them back into the fold, which is why our bishops’ staffs are shaped like large hooks).

I found the paragraph you quoted interesting, though:

What I think telling is that the youngest of the families’ boys were sent out to tend/guard the sheep. That means that the angels appeared to boys, not men, to tell them about the birth of Christ. And so, the first to hear about the birth of the Messiah were young people. Now, what a great homily subject that would make!

That is a good point.

Also…

The shepherd is specially accoutered for his work. His equipment includes as indispensable accessories as the traditional “rod and staff” –the first a light stick or crook, the second a long heavy cane.

At the close of day, as the flock nears the sheepfold, the shepherd runs ahead of his bleating charges, eager to enter their home. He plants himself in the doorway, counts the sheep one by one as they “pass under the rod,” which is used in driving away any animal not of the flock, for often a street dog tries to take advantage of the open door.

Now it has grown quite dark, and the shepherd can no longer be discerned; so with his heavy staff or his lighter rod he taps this rock, now that, the sound echoing and resounding through the valley and the sheep following are reassured. Of this practice the Psalmist sings, “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

I’d like to say here that the author writes in the beginning of this 1926 article “…the shepherd life of the Holy Land has remained unchanged since the days of Abraham and of the first Christmas” . It is important to consider that this article was written 80 years ago…. before modernization and technology raked the land and the people.

This article has something for each line in Psalm 23……plus more.

 

[contemplative]

Well, I know what the rod and staff were meant to do (the first was for discipline/defense of the sheep and the latter for bringing them back into the fold, which is why our bishops’ staffs are shaped like large hooks).

I found the paragraph you quoted interesting, though:

What I think telling is that the youngest of the families’ boys were sent out to tend/guard the sheep. That means that the angels appeared to boys, not men, to tell them about the birth of Christ. And so, the first to hear about the birth of the Messiah were young people. Now, what a great homily subject that would make!

The shepherd is specially accoutered for his work. His equipment includes as indispensable accessories as the traditional “rod and staff” –the first a light stick or crook, the second a long heavy cane.

At the close of day, as the flock nears the sheepfold, the shepherd runs ahead of his bleating charges, eager to enter their home. He plants himself in the doorway, counts the sheep one by one as they “pass under the rod,” which is used in driving away any animal not of the flock, for often a street dog tries to take advantage of the open door.

Now it has grown quite dark, and the shepherd can no longer be discerned; so with his heavy staff or his lighter rod he taps this rock, now that, the sound echoing and resounding through the valley and the sheep following are reassured. Of this practice the Psalmist sings, “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

I’d like to say here that the author writes in the beginning of this 1926 article “…the shepherd life of the Holy Land has remained unchanged since the days of Abraham and of the first Christmas” . It is important to consider that this article was written 80 years ago…. before modernization and technology raked the land and the people.

This article has something for each line in Psalm 23……plus more.

 

[contemplative]

You missed (for His name’s sake) in verse 3
That version looks the same as in my RSV CE version
Here is the NAB
The Lord The Shepherd and The Host
"The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures you let me graze; to saafe waters you lead me;
you restore my strength.
You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name.
Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side;
Your rod and staff give me courage.
You set a table before me as my enemies watch;
You annoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life.
I will dwell in tthe house of the Lord for years to come.
return

OK if you feel more comfortable…refer to this version and ask questions.

I found this interesting Hebrew Christian website with the English and Hebrew translation of Psalm 23. It includes an audio of Psalm 23 spoken in Hebrew. It also includes an interpretation of Psalm 23. Still… the article from the National Geographic Magazine can go further than this. Ask me more. I am here to reply the best that I can. I want to share what I see.

 

[dessert]

OKKKK! The word shepherd, I read your article, very nice I like hebrew, but I don;t think I could learn it. The hebrew says the Lord my Shepherd not the Lord IS my shepherd why the difference? And your hebrew says friend not God? And it has always puzzeled me as all faiths about, act like the ministers leaders rabbis priests pastors etc they all claim to be shepherds and have a flock but some don’t really act like a shepherd? Just go ahead and expound on it I also have to go to work now so won’t get back till morrow. thanks return

 

[contemplative]

And your hebrew says friend not God?

The note on the Hebrew/Christian website says that it is “thought” that the word shepherd derives from the word friend.

And it has always puzzeled me as all faiths about, act like the ministers leaders rabbis priests pastors etc they all claim to be shepherds and have a flock but some don’t really act like a shepherd? Just go ahead and expound on it I also have to go to work now so won’t get back till morrow.

This is not a question but rather a very biased and derogatory opinion. I will not expound on anything of the kind.

I am open to questions about Psalm 23 and my replies will be based on an article I read in a 1926 magazine…unique and meaningful. Anything I’ve added such as this is to enhance the riches of what I have found and would like to share.

 

[kellie]

The note on the Hebrew/Christian website says that it is “thought” that the word shepherd derives from the word friend.

This is not a question but rather a very biased and derogatory opinion. I will not expound on anything of the kind.

I am open to questions about Psalm 23 and my replies will be based on an article I read in a 1926 magazine…unique and meaningful. Anything I’ve added such as this is to enhance the riches of what I have found and would like to share.

I find your OP very odd.

If you have an article that is beautifully written about the Psalm23 why not share it with us, so we can all comment on it?

How are we expected to know what questions you are waiting for?

We all know Psalm 23 is about Jesus being Our Shepherd, looking after us as we are His flock, and we basically all know that shephers use a rod and staff etc.

What is it you are looking for?

 

[puzzleannie]

I If you have an article that is beautifully written about the Psalm23 why not share it with us, so we can all comment on it?
for?

OP did share the article insofar as he could, it is from a 1926 magazine so no link is available and he can hardly reproduce the whole thing, he did give some examples. I think he is giving us the chance to bring up some line of the psalm that strikes us and ask how the article related to that line.

we do not all know everything the psalm is saying about shepherds, because most of us do not know the culture that produced the shepherds used in the psalm as an analogy, so such an article can be very helpful.

 

[contemplative]

Thank you Puzzleannie.

I found the following couple of paragraphs from the article rather interesting.

While peasant folk often go barefooted, the women carrying their shoes in their market baskets balance on their heads, the shepherd boy is always well shod, as through “thorn and briers” he must travel, over rocky mountains and across deep valleys.

These peasant shoes are made of “rams’ skins dyed red,” the soles are of untanned camel hide, and each she has a leathern latchet to fasten it. The Hebrew word translated in our Bible as “shoe is naal, the identical word which the present Arab uses for a kind of primitive sandal worn by the Bedouin shepherd boys.

After reading this the first thing that comes to my mind is the Pope’s red shoes!
(shepherds are the peasants)

 

[contemplative]

Early morning arrives. A sheep may have received a scratch the day before, or perhaps a lamb is suffering from the effects of the sun. The Arab shepherd believes in the efficacy of olive oil as a cure, and therefore from a horn he anoints the victim. Thus the Psalmist recites: “Thou anointest my head with oil.

Ah Ha! I found this link to a photograph identical to the one in my magazine! Yes this is one of the photos in the magazine. You just don’t see the copyright symbol below the picture.

 

[dessert]

Wow I like that link with all the free pics very cool! return:thumbsup:

 

[dessert]

You set a table before me as my enemies watch. What does that all mean? Return