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THE LORD OF PSALM 23: Jesus our Shepherd, Companion and Host with Study Questions
DAVID GIBSON with Foreword by Sinclair Ferguson
Expository Study of Psalm 23 Reveals the Beauty and Deep Theological Meaning Behind a Familiar Part of Scripture
Psalm 23 is one of the most recognizable passages in the whole Bible. Though relatively short, this poetic depiction of God’s love epitomizes Christ’s goodness and provision as he leads his children. Even lifelong Christians will find fresh encouragement by closely studying these familiar words.
David Gibson walks through each verse in Psalm 23, thoroughly examining its 3 depictions of the believer’s union with Christ as sheep and shepherd, traveler and companion, and guest and host. Gibson provides canonical context for the Psalm’s beautiful imagery, inspiring praise and wonder as readers reflect on the loving Shepherd who meets every need.
FROM THE FOREWORD BY SINCLAIR FERGUSON
"Occasionally in the chapel services at the seminary where I taught, one of the students would introduce the guest preacher with the four magical words, “He is my minister.” There are few descriptions under-shepherds of Christ’s flock value more than these simple words expressing the special bond of affection that exists between pastor and people. I have never had the opportunity to use these words—that is, until now. For David Gibson is not only my friend; he is my minister. By the time you have finished reading these pages, you will realize why I count it a great privilege to sit under his ministry.
The Lord of Psalm 23 takes us through the six verses of what—at least where I come from—is by far the best-known and most frequently sung psalm in the Bible. In the days when hymnbooks were standard issue in churches, in many places—not least, funeral chapels—the books almost opened themselves at Psalm 23. I have known that psalm almost since I learned to talk, or at least since a well-meaning aunt gave me a child’s storybook version of it as a present. Its words (especially sung to the tune “Crimond”) have been the soundtrack of my life. It is not entirely my aunt’s fault, however, that I have not always appreciated it. Where her kind gift misled me was the way its front cover pictured David, the psalmist. There he sits beside a rock, a young teenager with glowing complexion, handsome face, spotless clothes, and an untarnished shepherd’s crook. This David was exactly the kind of boy I was not and never would be. Familiarity with this image did not so much breed contempt as cloud my mind to what generations of believers had found life-sustaining and soul-nourishing in this great psalm.
I suspect others share my experience. I cannot now recall exactly when all this changed; but I know what caused the change and opened my eyes to the obvious truth that lies on the surface of the text. What was needed was to experience some degree of what David describes in verse 4 as deep darkness, “the valley of the shadow of death.” Then the ghost of my childhood image of the psalmist would be exorcised. Then it would become clear that this psalm is not the product of an untried shepherd boy musing on how God is like him but the testimony of someone who bears the scars of trials, failures, loss, and—yes—the sins of his youth that led him two psalms later to ask God not to remember them (Ps. 25:7). This David had been in the valley of deep darkness; he had tasted the supplies of God even when—indeed, especially when—surrounded by his enemies. It was then he had learned what his forefather Jacob meant when he spoke of the Lord as “the God who has been my shepherd all my life long” (Gen. 48:15).
Probably you are holding this book in your hands because you wonder (as I did) why this psalm has meant so much to so many Christians or because it has meant so much to you personally, and you are eager to discover more of its riches. In either case, you are putting your hands—and more importantly your mind and heart—into the safe hands of David Gibson. His ministry combines the quality of intellect and insight that makes him an outstanding expositor of Scripture (more able than he himself realizes) with the heart and devotion of a pastor who loves the church he serves. Here, in The Lord of Psalm 23, he shares with all of us the food that has first nourished his own flock. And if I say that the content of this book is typical of the quality of his ministry (not just an unusual “spike” in it), I hope this will reassure you of the integrity and reliability of what he writes here. I feel sure that, like many others who have told me how much they have valued David Gibson’s other books, you will want to read more from him in the future. But, first, you are about to appreciate and enjoy this one!"
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword by Sinclair B. Ferguson (see above)
A Note on Singing the Twenty-Third Psalm
The Twenty-Third Psalm
Introduction
Part One: The Sheep and the Shepherd
Chapter 1: Who He Is
Chapter 2: What He Provides
Chapter 3: Where He Leads
Part Two: The Traveler and the Companion
Chapter 4: How He Leads
Chapter 5: Where He Is
Chapter 6: What He Holds
Part Three: The Guest and the Host
Chapter 7: How He Welcomes
Chapter 8: What He Sends
Chapter 9: Where He Invites
Acknowledgments
Study Questions
General Index
Scripture Index
ENDORSEMENTS
“There is no passage of Scripture I have turned to as frequently or as desperately as Psalm 23. It has blessed, guided, and strengthened me in my hardest seasons and darkest days. Yet I have not come close to mastering its content or exhausting its riches—something that became clear as I read this lovely, helpful, challenging, easy-to-read guide to one of the Bible’s brightest treasures. I give it my highest recommendation.” -Tim Challies, author, Seasons of Sorrow; coauthor, From the Rising of the Sun
“To read this book is to sit under the best pastoral care—that of a pastor who expounds God’s word clearly, lovingly, and with delight. The word shines here, as we take time to follow the whole shape of Psalm 23; ultimately, the Savior of the Scriptures shines, Jesus the good shepherd, who is with us all the way home.” -Kathleen Nielson, author; speaker
“The Lord of Psalm 23 combines an attentive reading of the text with rich theological insight, all brought together to nourish and comfort the heart. I warmly encourage you to read it and meet the Lord afresh. This book was a tonic for my own soul at a time when I was feeling overwhelmed.” -Tim Chester, Senior Faculty Member, Crosslands Training
“Reading Psalm 23 through the lens of union with Christ—the good shepherd incarnate—The Lord of Psalm 23 brings assurance, comfort, and guidance to those of us who ask, ‘Can the Lord prepare a table in the wilderness?’ This is a wonderful encouragement.” -Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California
“A pastor’s heart breathes through this book. Just as the psalm’s own words are heartwarming and beautiful, so on the lips of a caring pastor these meditations warm the heart and delight the soul. They did me good. They will do you good.” -Christopher Ash, Writer in Residence, Tyndale House, Cambridge; author, The Psalms: A Christ-Centered Commentary
“There are two ways of reading and studying Scripture. One is like clipping down a motorway, traversing big chunks, getting the sweep of the story. The other is like milking a cow—you just sit there with one text and keep pulling and squeezing. The latter is what David Gibson does with Psalm 23—he ‘milks’ it marvelously, and your cup will run over!” -Dale Ralph Davis, former Professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson
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