When the Lord is Your Shepherd (Psalm 23)

• Nothing I Lack (Psalm 23:1-2).
• Only God Can Bring Me Back (Psalm 23:3).

• The Valley of Darkness (Psalm 23:4). 

• Blessed in the Presence of My Enemies  (Ps 23:5).

• Followed by Goodness All My Life (Ps 23:6).

1. In Psalm 23 God is a shepherd (Ps 23:1). How else is God described in the O.T. (Ps 18:1-3; Ps 103:13; 131:2)? How did Jesus similarly portray images for God (Lk 15:4, 8, 11-12)?
2. What does it mean practically that "the Lord is my shepherd" (Ps 23:1a; Prov 3:5-6)?
3. What is it to "lack nothing" (Ps 23:1b; Phil 4:11-12)? What are the basic wants that the shepherd provides for his sheep (Ps 23:2-6)? How might commercials and advertising affect our wants? How does beginning (Ps 23:1), end (Ps 23:6) and middle (Ps 23:4a) of this psalm affirm the deepest needs of the psalmist?
4. What does the shepherd need to do before any sheep will lie down (Ps 23:2)? What is provided for the sheep [and the guest (Ps 23:5)]? What kind of life is this (Phil 4:7; Jn 14:27)? Did David know peace in the midst of his turbulent life?
5. English translations say "He restores/refreshes/renews my soul" while Eastern translations say "He brings me back" (Ps 23:3a)? What does the latter translation suggest about our human condition (Isa 53:5)? About what needs to be done (Jer 23:3; Eze 34:16; Zech 10:10; Lk 15:4; Mt 18:12)? What does it mean that she sheep is led in "paths of righteousness" and "for his name's sake" (Ps 23:3b)?
6. Why must the sheep pass through the valley of darkness/death (Ps 23:4a)? Why is there no fear in doing so (Ps 23:4b)? Why is this the center and climax of Psalm 23? What is the role of the rod and staff (Ps 23:4c)? What is the sheep's unique problem?
7. What is the change in metaphor from Ps 23:1 to Ps 23:5 (Isa 42:13; 43:14)? Who usually prepares the table/the meal (Prov 9:1-5)? What is meant by "in the presence of my enemies" (Ps 23:5a)? How is this similar to the story of Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1-10)? What is the meaning of anointing (Ps 23:5b; Mt 26:7; Mk 14:3; Lk 7:38; Jn 12:3)? Of "my cup overflows" (Ps 23:5c)?
8. How does it generally feel to be followed? What is "goodness" and "mercy" [hesed] (Ps 23:6a)? [David personifies them like people who follow him.] "...the length of days" can mean both "my days" and God's days (Ps 23:6b). How could David be so sure and confident of this (Ps 23:1, 4a)?

Are theological discussions unnecessary?

In depth and very detailed theological discussions and differences began with the Jewish rabbis who studied and interpreted the Torah (their Bible) in detail from different angles and perspectives. This was not to create dissent or contention or confusion. Rather, it was to try their best to discern what God is saying through His word/the Torah, so that they can best live in obedience to God. They were godly God fearing people. They were serious Bible students and scholars who wanted to practically live out the Word of God in their daily lives (Ps 1:2; 119:97).

Jesus--regarded and recognized as a rabbi--did the same thing in Matthew 5 in the 6 "antithesis": "You're heard it said ..... but I say to you." Jesus was obviously not trying to confuse but to clarify. So theological discussions are necessary and should lead to edification, clarity and enjoyment of the great mystery of God. But our differences and disagreements should never lead to demonizing or diminishing or disregarding others.

"...his delight is in the Lord's instruction (Torah/"Bible"), and he meditates on it day and night" (Psalm 1:2). "Oh, how I love your law (Torah/"Bible")! I meditate on it all day long" (Psalm 119:97).

Luke 15 questions for reflection

1. Why would Jesus' loving welcome and eating with tax collectors and sinners upset the Pharisees and scribes ( Lk 15:1-2)? What is "this parable" (Lk 15:3) that Jesus told them?
2. What is the cost for the shepherd to leave the 99 sheep to go search for one lost sheep (Lk 15:4-6)? Who are the "99 righteous persons who do not need to repent" (Lk 15:7; Isa 53:6; Eccl 7:20; Rom 3:23a)?
3. What is the cost to the woman looking for her one silver coin she lost (Lk 15:8-9)? What do we learn in these two parables about what it means to repent (Lk 15:7, 10; Ps 23:3)? [The answer is not easy or obvious.] Who does the good shepherd and the good woman represent (Lk 15:1, 2b)?
4. What does the younger son's request mean in a Middle Eastern context (Lk 15:11-12a)? How would the father (and his village) normally respond? What does the father's response show about him (Lk 15:12b; cf. Gal 6:13)?
5. What was the result of his "wild" /extravagant /spendthrift /wasteful living (Lk 15:13-16)? What does "he come to his senses/himself (Lk 15:16-17)? Was he genuinely repenting (Lk 15:18-19)? Who in the O.T. seemed to repent (Exo 10:16)? What was his own plan (Lk 15:19b)? Was this acceptable to the father (Jn 15:15)?
6. What does the father's action upon seeing his younger son show about him (Lk 15:20; 23:34; Mt 11:29; 2 Cor 5:19a)? Why was this shameful and unexpected? How would this protect his son from the village's wrath?
7. Compare the son's prepared and actual speech (Lk 15:18b-19, 21)? Why could he not make his final request (Lk 15:19b)?
8. How did the father restore him to sonship (Lk 15:22-23)? Were they celebrating the son's return home (Lk 15:24)? How was the son found? Did he repent? How? [See Q3 above.]
9. When the older son found out what happened (Lk 15:25-27), why was he so angry (Lk 15:28a)? What does his refusal to join the celebration mean in a Middle Eastern context (Lk 15:28a)? How was this worse than what the younger son did (Lk 15:12)? What does his insulting response (Lk 15:29-30) to the father's plea (Lk 15:28b) show about him? How was he similar to the Pharisees (Lk 15:2)?
10. What does the father's plea (Lk 15:28b) and his response to his son's insult (Lk 15:31-32) show about the father? Who is this father? Did he welcome his father's plea and join the celebration? How is "this parable" (Lk 15:3) the answer to the Pharisees' muttering (2)?