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A Shepherds Look at Psalms 23
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About the author
W. Phillip Keller
86 books129 followersWeldon Phillip Keller (1920-1997) wrote more than thirty-five books on Christian subjects, including his most popular book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 The son of missionary parents in Kenya, Keller grow up in Africa before becoming a world citizen as a photographer, agronomist, and author. His books have over two million copies in print.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 7, 2025
Oooooooh BEHOLD!! A book Y O U must put your hands on ASAP.
What a treasure this book is! The author was a shepherd; he explains Psalm 23 through his understanding of physically tending to the flock.
What depth lies in Psalm 23!! I found myself giddy to be under the Lord’s watchful and careful hand while reading this book. Psalm 23 is overflowing with deep and practical symbolism.
Psalm 23 is a familiar passage to most people. But I don’t think most people (like me until reading this book) understand the context of David being a shepherd, and then writing this psalm. It holds weight!
What a treasure this book is! The author was a shepherd; he explains Psalm 23 through his understanding of physically tending to the flock.
What depth lies in Psalm 23!! I found myself giddy to be under the Lord’s watchful and careful hand while reading this book. Psalm 23 is overflowing with deep and practical symbolism.
Psalm 23 is a familiar passage to most people. But I don’t think most people (like me until reading this book) understand the context of David being a shepherd, and then writing this psalm. It holds weight!
January 18, 2026
One of my favorite reads ever. If you’re someone who loves an analogy— this is for you. Really breaks down the complexity of the analogy used in psalm 23 to explain the lengths and great scale of which God intends to love, protect, guide, and care for us.
September 27, 2025
I think I love sheep now and I think I've fallen back in love with Psalm 23. What a tender and refreshing look at a classic but through the helpful eyes of an experienced shepherd. It was a short but packed book with food for thought that will linger a long time.
April 12, 2025
Rating: 4.5
Keller's beautiful exposition of Psalm 23 opens up this familiar poem in practical and profound ways. Separated by time and modern life, it is difficult for us to fully comprehend the many nature analogies and allusions in the Bible, such as what it takes to care for sheep (the most high maintenance and dull livestock of them all). Keller's first-hand experience as a shepherd thus proves invaluable as we attempt to understand one of the Bible's most important truths, that Jesus is the good shepherd and he lays his life down for the sheep.
Short and to the point, A Shepherds Look at Psalm 23 is written like a sermon, which each phrase of the Psalm dissected and accompanied by cross references, anecdotes, and critical applications. I was most encouraged by its focus on contentment, as much of the Psalm points to the sheep's utter trust in the good shepherd's care, control, and plan of direction. Just as Paul learned to be content in all circumstances, sheep teach us that we will never find true rest for our souls unless we surrender all our affairs to God. Indeed, Keller points out that sheep will actual never lie down in rest unless four conditions are met: "There must be a definite sense of freedom from fear, tension, aggravations, and hunger. The unique aspect of this picture is that it is only the shepherd himself who can provide release from these anxieties." So it is with us and our Good Shepherd.
Notable quote: "My personal conviction is that this - I will dwell in the presence of the Lord forever - is the most significant sentiment that David had in his heart as he ended this hymn of praise to divine diligence. Not only do we get the idea of an ever-present Shepherd on the scene, but also the concept that the sheep wants to be in full view of his owner at all times."
Reading method: kindle
Keller's beautiful exposition of Psalm 23 opens up this familiar poem in practical and profound ways. Separated by time and modern life, it is difficult for us to fully comprehend the many nature analogies and allusions in the Bible, such as what it takes to care for sheep (the most high maintenance and dull livestock of them all). Keller's first-hand experience as a shepherd thus proves invaluable as we attempt to understand one of the Bible's most important truths, that Jesus is the good shepherd and he lays his life down for the sheep.
Short and to the point, A Shepherds Look at Psalm 23 is written like a sermon, which each phrase of the Psalm dissected and accompanied by cross references, anecdotes, and critical applications. I was most encouraged by its focus on contentment, as much of the Psalm points to the sheep's utter trust in the good shepherd's care, control, and plan of direction. Just as Paul learned to be content in all circumstances, sheep teach us that we will never find true rest for our souls unless we surrender all our affairs to God. Indeed, Keller points out that sheep will actual never lie down in rest unless four conditions are met: "There must be a definite sense of freedom from fear, tension, aggravations, and hunger. The unique aspect of this picture is that it is only the shepherd himself who can provide release from these anxieties." So it is with us and our Good Shepherd.
Notable quote: "My personal conviction is that this - I will dwell in the presence of the Lord forever - is the most significant sentiment that David had in his heart as he ended this hymn of praise to divine diligence. Not only do we get the idea of an ever-present Shepherd on the scene, but also the concept that the sheep wants to be in full view of his owner at all times."
Reading method: kindle
September 21, 2024
I loved this commentary of Psalm 23. The author went line by line and expounded on the meaning of the text by giving context of sheep and shepherding. He did a great job of comparing the Shepherd to our Heavenly Father and the sheep’s circumstances to ours as His children.
One notable, eye opening section was on the part that says “my cup overflows.” I had never considered that this is also a cup of suffering.
“My Shepherd is alert to every approaching disaster that threatens His people. He has been through the storms of suffering before. He bore our sorrows and was acquainted with our grief.
And now no matter what storms I face, His very life and strength and vitality is poured into mine.
It overflows so the cup of my life runs over with His life ... often with great blessing and benefit to others who see me stand up so well in the midst of trials and suffering.”
One notable, eye opening section was on the part that says “my cup overflows.” I had never considered that this is also a cup of suffering.
“My Shepherd is alert to every approaching disaster that threatens His people. He has been through the storms of suffering before. He bore our sorrows and was acquainted with our grief.
And now no matter what storms I face, His very life and strength and vitality is poured into mine.
It overflows so the cup of my life runs over with His life ... often with great blessing and benefit to others who see me stand up so well in the midst of trials and suffering.”
November 10, 2024
I read this book in preparation for my Bible study’s weekly study in Psalms, and WOW am I a fan. This book shares Psalm 23 through the eyes of an actual shepherd, turned pastor. His insights and parallels to sheep, and God’s people were eye opening, and kept my attention throughout the entirety of the book.
10/10 will read again.
10/10 will read again.
November 21, 2024
This book has insightful and practical applications into Psalm 23. It encouraged me and I believe it would anyone who reads it.
August 31, 2025
Guyssss read this book ASAP. like now.
June 8, 2025
Incredibly rich depth insight into Psalm 23. I love this book so much!
January 15, 2024
Had no idea this was by an unknown author?
Anyways - this book was pivotal to me. I have read it so many times, and will continue to tell anyone who will listen to me about it. I will probably pass this down to my children like an heirloom.
This book gives space to a detailed and needed perspective of a shepherd to his sheep. It makes sense of Psalms 23 in a fresh and experienced way that I think about literally every time I hear Psalms 23 or anything about a sheep or shepherd. This book sent me on a journey to really understand the illustrations of a sheep and its shepherd and I loved every second of it.
Anyways - this book was pivotal to me. I have read it so many times, and will continue to tell anyone who will listen to me about it. I will probably pass this down to my children like an heirloom.
This book gives space to a detailed and needed perspective of a shepherd to his sheep. It makes sense of Psalms 23 in a fresh and experienced way that I think about literally every time I hear Psalms 23 or anything about a sheep or shepherd. This book sent me on a journey to really understand the illustrations of a sheep and its shepherd and I loved every second of it.
September 11, 2025
Excellent. Simple, direct, comforting and challenging, a great unwrapping of a great Psalm. This book is rich with memorable illustrations that will stick with me for years (and I want to re-read it in a few years anyway).
Highly recommended to all those belonging to the Good Shepherd — and those wistfully looking over the fence, at His flock that is fully content under His loving care.
Highly recommended to all those belonging to the Good Shepherd — and those wistfully looking over the fence, at His flock that is fully content under His loving care.
November 15, 2024
Wow. Yeah, this was special. I think that some of the richness of scripture are missed out on when we don’t understand the context they were written in or who they were written by/for. I know Jesus’ love greater and deeper and my own sinful nature
December 10, 2025
Loveee -my friend’s mom shared this with me when I was a new Christian and I have shared it with several friends since. It really helped me understand God’s relationship with me through thoughtful illustration. A book I will read again and again.
March 19, 2024
The author is Phillip Keller.
Excellent book! Full of great insights. Psalms 23 takes on a much deeper meaning after reading this book.
Excellent book! Full of great insights. Psalms 23 takes on a much deeper meaning after reading this book.
June 7, 2024
I learned so much from this book and really enjoyed it. Recommend it to all. And will re-read down the road for sure.
July 11, 2024
Author W. Phillip Keller
I enjoyed the unique insights of this author who actually was a shepherd and who has intimate knowledge about sheep and all that is required in their care and protection.
I enjoyed the unique insights of this author who actually was a shepherd and who has intimate knowledge about sheep and all that is required in their care and protection.
January 8, 2025
Good information.
January 13, 2025
Incredible to hear Psalm 23 explained from a shepherds perspective. Definitely adds a lot of context the passage and makes it more personal than I've ever read it before.
August 16, 2025
Everyone should read this. I loved getting to learn about a shepherds experience and the connection to Psalm 23. Definitely deepened my understanding of Psalm 23 and cherish it even more.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews