Most of us can quote the lines of Psalm 23, but few of us have examined the meaning behind its' powerful message. The opening verse says, "The lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Initially in the psalm a metaphor is used to illustrate the care the lord gives to his people. He is compared to a shepherd looking over his flock. A shepherd's only job at that time was to protect his flock. Without his flock, the shepherd had nothing. It is also said that God's only job is to protect and love his people. The shepherd must provide for, guide, and look after the sheep. The psalm illustrates that the lord will do this for his people. The psalm also illustrates that the lord, is your lord. It says, "The lord is my shepherd," not "The lord is a shepherd." The lord belongs to everyone who will have him. He does not choose his flock; his flock may choose him.

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters." The second verse goes more i

As we read the excerpts from the bible, I wondered why we would have read such a popular psalm. It has become clear to me after breaking the verses down, piece by piece. This psalm says so much about the Christian faith. It explains their blind faith in the lord, and even delves into the possibility of an afterlife. Psalm 23 illustrates the fears of humans, and how the lord can eliminate them.

Other religions still attack Psalm 23. It is said that David wrote this psalm. Some critics of the poem contest that the poem can mean nothing coming from David, who was king. According to a website promoting the Atheist/Agnostic religions, David never had the need to write a poem such as this. The opening lines of the poem say, "I shall not want." The website argues that it is obvious that David would not want, because he was the king, and had every worldly possession he could ever desire. David never had to fear for his life or his possessions. It can also be argued, that because he was a king, he assumed he would automatically be admitted into heaven. Therefore David could not have had a need such as these.

Psalm 23's comforting nature is why it gained so much popularity. The Christian faith, like many religions has been attacked over the years. Psalm 23 is a beacon of light for the Christian people to look for when times are dismal. They can rely on the words of the psalm to remind them that their benevolent God will always be there to guide and protect them.

Examining this poem, whether you are Christian, Jewish, or Agnostic, is beneficial. It gives you a glimpse into the beliefs of other cultures and people. And having a b

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