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The Twenty-Third Psalm
Illustrated with woodcuts by Ismar David
159 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1961
33 people want to read
About the author
Charles L. Allen
103 books14 followersCharles Livingstone Allen (1913 – 2005) was an American ordained United Methodist minister.
He was the former pastor of First United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. The author of over 30 books, he was a featured columnist with the Atlanta Constitution from 1948 to 1960, and with the Houston Chronicle from 1960 to 1983.
He was the former pastor of First United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. The author of over 30 books, he was a featured columnist with the Atlanta Constitution from 1948 to 1960, and with the Houston Chronicle from 1960 to 1983.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 30, 2018
This small gift volume--sixty-two pages of clear, straightforward interpretive commentary of 118 words in perhaps the most famous poem in 2500 years, speaks to hungering hearts and minds—even today.
This song of David crosses the barriers of time, history, race, and language. It is the most oft-quoted psalm at funerals. Why does it live on with such depth? Why is it powerful today?
Because it tells that "above all the strife and fears, the hungers and weaknesses of mankind, there is a Shepherd--a Shepherd who knows His sheep one by one, who is abundantly able to provide, who guides and protects and at the close of the day opens the door to the sheepfold--the house not made with hands."
Allen writes a simple script for restless souls: Read the 23rd Psalm, five times a day, for seven days.
Read it meditatively—even if you have it memorized. This practice will create “a pattern of thinking, and when a mind becomes saturated with it, a new way of thinking and a new life are the result.”
Churning, wandering hearts and unsettled souls long for the peace and security conveyed in the declaration: The Lord Is My Shepherd.
This song of David crosses the barriers of time, history, race, and language. It is the most oft-quoted psalm at funerals. Why does it live on with such depth? Why is it powerful today?
Because it tells that "above all the strife and fears, the hungers and weaknesses of mankind, there is a Shepherd--a Shepherd who knows His sheep one by one, who is abundantly able to provide, who guides and protects and at the close of the day opens the door to the sheepfold--the house not made with hands."
Allen writes a simple script for restless souls: Read the 23rd Psalm, five times a day, for seven days.
Read it meditatively—even if you have it memorized. This practice will create “a pattern of thinking, and when a mind becomes saturated with it, a new way of thinking and a new life are the result.”
Churning, wandering hearts and unsettled souls long for the peace and security conveyed in the declaration: The Lord Is My Shepherd.
July 17, 2025
This was a very short and easy to digest look at the twenty third psalm. It held a few memorable quotes that I took note of.
However, I find Phillip Keller’s book on the same poem to be a much more in depth and worth while read than this.
However, I find Phillip Keller’s book on the same poem to be a much more in depth and worth while read than this.
December 31, 2017
A little dated but some good insights.
January 28, 2024
This is the 2nd time I’ve read this book. I I absolutely love it and think everyone needs to read it. Excellent thoughts and wisdom to live by.
March 17, 2025
sweet little book i will return to often ❤️ a little dated but so comforting and simple
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews