The Lord Is My Shepherd
by
by
Robert J. Morgan (Goodreads Author)
To me, the most impressive feature of this book is that the author's not just a pastor--he also had years of hands-on experience caring for sheep. So if you ever wanted to read a book about the Shepherd's Prayer, written by an erstwhile shepherd, then this book's for you (as is A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, originally published in 1970).
Another notable feature of Morgan's book is his 53-word summary of the Psalm's main themes (in "prepositional slogan" form) at pages 175-176:
*Near me: My Shepherd
*Beneath me: Green pastures
*Beside me: Still waters
*Ahead of me: Righteous paths
*Within me: Restored spirits
*Against me: My enemies
*For me: His rod and staff
*Around me: A table(land)
*Upon me: Anointing oil
*Above me: Overflowing blessings
*Behind me: Goodness and Mercy
*Before me: My Father's House
Along the way, Pastor Morgan offers remarks, interpretations and anecdotes on the 23rd Psalm which help provide context and insight. Here's a few:
1) Psalm 23 is a reassurance that all three types of our needs will be met by the Good Shepherd (see also John 10): External needs (green pastures), Internal needs (restoration, comfort) and Eternal needs (Divine Goodness and Mercy) [page 36].
2) The foregoing types of needs, in turn, can be found by elaborating on the Psalm's third verse (He restoreth my soul). Respectively: He restoreth my soul...from stress; He restoreth my soul...from sorrow; He restoreth my soul...from sin [Chapter 5, pages 69-83].
3) In verse 6 (Goodness and mercy shall follow me throughout the days of my life), Pastor Morgan finds the two sides of Divine Grace: Goodness "represents all [the gifts] He bestows on us that we don't deserve. Mercy "represents all [the consequences] He withholds that we do deserve."
I enjoyed this book. I borrowed it from the library, but I wish I had a copy for my library on Scripture and Theology--it could make for a good reference.
Footnote: For further details on the ins and outs of shepherding, Pastor Morgan recommends two books: Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep: Breeds, Care, Facilities and This Was Sheep Ranching: Yesterday and Today, by Virginia Paul
Another notable feature of Morgan's book is his 53-word summary of the Psalm's main themes (in "prepositional slogan" form) at pages 175-176:
*Near me: My Shepherd
*Beneath me: Green pastures
*Beside me: Still waters
*Ahead of me: Righteous paths
*Within me: Restored spirits
*Against me: My enemies
*For me: His rod and staff
*Around me: A table(land)
*Upon me: Anointing oil
*Above me: Overflowing blessings
*Behind me: Goodness and Mercy
*Before me: My Father's House
Along the way, Pastor Morgan offers remarks, interpretations and anecdotes on the 23rd Psalm which help provide context and insight. Here's a few:
1) Psalm 23 is a reassurance that all three types of our needs will be met by the Good Shepherd (see also John 10): External needs (green pastures), Internal needs (restoration, comfort) and Eternal needs (Divine Goodness and Mercy) [page 36].
2) The foregoing types of needs, in turn, can be found by elaborating on the Psalm's third verse (He restoreth my soul). Respectively: He restoreth my soul...from stress; He restoreth my soul...from sorrow; He restoreth my soul...from sin [Chapter 5, pages 69-83].
3) In verse 6 (Goodness and mercy shall follow me throughout the days of my life), Pastor Morgan finds the two sides of Divine Grace: Goodness "represents all [the gifts] He bestows on us that we don't deserve. Mercy "represents all [the consequences] He withholds that we do deserve."
I enjoyed this book. I borrowed it from the library, but I wish I had a copy for my library on Scripture and Theology--it could make for a good reference.
Footnote: For further details on the ins and outs of shepherding, Pastor Morgan recommends two books: Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep: Breeds, Care, Facilities and This Was Sheep Ranching: Yesterday and Today, by Virginia Paul
