Narrative Lectionary Program Year Four– John, Psalm 23
June 20, 2021, Psalm 23
Free Additional Resources for Study & Sermon Preparation
Furthering the Power of God’s Story – Narrative Lectionary Commentary
by Daniel D. Maurer
Psalm 23 is, of course, one of the “classic” Bible passages that even armchair Christians (Easter/Christmas Christians) will recognize. Often what happens with these commonly-known passages is that we fail to see some of the more subtle themes within.
Dr. Kimberly Leetch rightly asserts in the worship resources for this passage that our relationship with God and each other is one colored with interdependence. We never have the upper hand with God. God is our shepherd.
I think most people get that.
But one more theme sticking in the midst of this psalm is how God protects us.
“[Y]our rod and your staff—they comfort me.” (v. 4c)
It got me thinking what, exactly, a shepherd uses a staff for. Historically speaking, it wasn’t only to keep the herd together, but also to chase off wolves or other predators looking to harm the herd.
It seems to me that today, shepherds might carry a rifle. Probably a lot more effective. But, still, some predators always get through. Sheep ranching in the United States is notoriously fraught with loss. It isn’t just the coyotes about to munch down on a tasty lamb, either. Disease and draught will thin the herd just as effectively as any predator.
So, hasn’t the metaphor we find in Psalm 23 broken down? Is the shepherd still a comfort, even when bad things happen, which they will?
Yes.
Because we always belong to God’s herd. God protects and keeps us, even when we fall, even when we fail to see our interdependence on God and each other.
We’re called to belong to the herd, and, perhaps most importantly, to remember that God will always be our shepherd, even in lean times.
I love the image of the shepherd, and most others do as well, standing in for God. I think, even in our ever technologically-advancing world people can relate with the shepherd image because it’s not only a comfort by itself, but to know that a greater protection holds and connects us, even when bad things happen, which they will.
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The following links and resources are not produced or maintained by Clergy Stuff. However, at the time of this posting, the links were active and considered to be good source material for proclamation for the text for this week. Please scroll down or click on the quick jump menu you find below. For more free worship resources & planning materials, please visit our links for RCL Worship Resources.
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Great Quotes
“Safety comes in our nearness to God, not in our distance from our enemies”
“I am nothing but an imperfect being, who is residing on earth with a perfect God as my guidance and protection.”
“Faith is a symbol of recognition of God’s protection upon your life.”
A Good Read
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23
W. Phillip Keller
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Video Resources
What’s it Like to be a Shepherd (for Kids)
Daily Devotional Feed
Free Dramatic Reading For This Text (NRSV)
Psalm 23
Readers: Reader 1, Reader 2
Reader 1: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Reader 2: He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
Reader 1: He restores my soul.
Reader 2: He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Reader 1: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.
Reader 2: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Reader 1: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.