The Lord Is My Shepherd: Healing Wisdom of the Twenty-third Psalm

by Harold S. Kushner

From the author of the bestselling "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" and "Living a Life That Matters" comes a new book of practical spirituality, inspiration, and encouragement gleaned from what may be the best-loved chapter in the Bible: the Twenty-third Psalm.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality, Judaism, Christian, Jewish, Self Help

175 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Harold S. Kushner is rabbi laureate of Temple Israel in the Boston suburb of Natick, Massachusetts. A native of Brooklyn, New York, he is the author of more than a dozen books on coping with life’s challenges, including, most recently, the best-selling Conquering Fear and Overcoming Life’s Disappointments.

Reviews

[Fiza Pathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Lord Is My Shepherd' is certainly one of the most moving & inspirational books I've ever read in a long time. Psalm 23 has always been a great part of my life & Harold Kushner's analysis of the Psalm penned probably by King David during his stay in King Saul's court is unique. So unique & yet so accurate that it enlightens a reader with regards to this magical Psalm. His analysis of the Psalm cannot be found in most of the Catholic Biblical Commentaries & therefore is a must to read & analyze. Harold Kushner writes in an easy to read manner that endears himself to the reader. He tackles & enlightens the reader on each part of the Psalm in different chapters which are well organized & important as soul curry for the reader. Harold Kushner is one of the few inspirational writers that I have read who writes his faith literature in a humble & non-aggressive manner which can appeal to all readers. The tragedy pertaining to the death of his son due to a genetic disease is saddening to read, & yet to see the reaction of Kushner to the tragedy is worth every penny spent on this book. It is difficult to select the best parts of the book because the book in its entirety is a treasure chest of motivational spiritual reading, which instills in a person the true meaning of what it means to follow the Good Shepherd & to live in the Presence or House of this King; who is the perfect Host as well as a devoted Shepherd of his flock. Yet, if I had to choose the best parts of the book, I would choose the last portion where the reality of Psalm is highlighted which indicated the lives of human beings as the life of nomads, wandering aimlessly in the desert of life with no goal or purpose. It is then in such an existential crisis of the lonely state that the Psalm becomes important. How? Read the book to get the answer! There are jokes, funny anecdotes, minimal but potent inspirational quotes & a lot of needed soul curry in this gem of a book about the Psalm. Whether you are recovering from a long sickness, whether you have lost all your property, whether you have lost you loved one in an accident or fatal disease or whether you have lost your source of employment etc., to revive your spirits & to 'restore your soul' you should read this astounding book. The Biblical theology of the book is rich but easy to comprehend, so for all those who simply want to know more about the Psalm should read this book. I was especially fascinated by the prepositions we miss out when reading the Psalm which are actually very important for a clear understanding of this motivating Psalm. Truly, praying & reciting Psalm 23 is not to keep us in our comfort zone but to pull us up out of our limitations to achieve the impossible as a challenge. How? Read the book to find out! And then share the wisdom found in this book with others. Harold Kushner is now one of my all time favorite authors & I hope to read more of his books in the near future. My God-father was the one to gift this book to me which he read way back in 2004 & I'm glad he did. 'The Lord Is My Shepherd' by Harold S. Kushner is perfect for gifting especially to a grieving soul because of the death of a loved one. The book definitely gets 5 stars from me.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book. It helped me to understand more deeply the meaning and intention of the Twenty-third Psalm. It’s one of my all time favorite psalms and I always include it in my prayers. I’m sure people have their own understanding of this psalm, but I really liked this interpretation of it. Rabbi Harold S. Kushner goes line by line through the whole psalm explaining what it means to him.

Since I was raised Catholic, and I’m not saying all Catholics fall in this category, I came to believe that God was a short-tempered and all powerful being who spent his time chasing around sinners to punish them. Never did I think of him as a loving, forgiving or understanding being. But since I wasn’t comfortable with that image of him I started a spiritual path that could help me approach him without fear. Reading this kind of books is part of my own personal process. This book and many others has given me a new perspective of God which has helped me establish a more loving relationship with him rather than one based on fear.

I agree with Rabbi Kuschner that according to the scriptures God is grammatically masculine, but functionally God is both masculine and feminine. And as he says, the psalm and the Bible itself will often show the same God in a feminine dimension, acting sometimes more like a mother than a father. And that’s comforting since I think that this divine force that I call God has both energies within, feminine and masculine.

I can rescue two important things out of this book, which I’m sure I’ll reread often. One, that I have to be grateful for all the blessings I have, because even those setbacks I encounter in life are a blessing since they allow me to learn new things about life, the world, myself and others. They help my soul to evolve in this human experience. That I have to be grateful even for all those things I give for granted like a sunrise.

Second, that God will always be there to comfort me no matter what the circumstances are. Like Rabbi Kushner says, God’s promise was not that that life would be fair or easy, but instead it is a promise that when I have to confront the unfairness of life he will be there for me and with me. This psalm does help me to feel more secure in an insecure world, and despite my own human insecurities.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following the harrowing experience of loss and pain of 2020, I needed to read words of inspiration to remind me to be grateful for what I have. In this brilliantly written book, biblical scholar Harold Kushner reminds the reader of the comfort and grace to be found in the most recognized Psalm in the OT.

I have always turned to reading Psalms when seeking guidance during times of stress, crisis of faith, grief, and transformation. Kushner provides such a beautiful, historical context to a passage that demonstrates that the heart of all relationships is faith...in ourselves, in the divine, and in others.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 stars
The Lord is My Shepherd: Healing Wisdom of the Twenty-Third Psalm by Harold S. Kushner is a book of practical spirituality, of inspiration and encouragement gleaned from what may be the best-known and best-loved chapter in the Bible: the Twenty-third Psalm.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." So begins the psalm that, for millennia, has been a source of comfort in grief and of courage in fear. Now Harold Kushner discovers what it has to teach us about living our day-to-day lives. Each chapter discusses one line of the psalm in the context of both the time when it was written and the present day, and illuminates the life lessons contained within it.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

After 9/11 I lost my faith. I had been going to church, and then I stopped. I couldn't get myself through the doors, even though I knew I should. A couple of years later, Kushner's book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People, passed through my hands. His words comforted me and helped me to refocus on the goodness of God, and I returned to my faith. Years later, Kushner's meditation on the 23rd psalm was sent to me by an anonymous teacher following the shooting at Sandy Hook School, part of an outpouring of sympathy from around the country for Newtown, CT teachers. Once again, Kushner's words guided me towards the healing relationship that God offers. In particular, his chapter on "the valley of the shadow of death" helped me to step beyond the daily grief I experienced for months after the actual day of the shooting.

Rabbi Kushner, in addition to helping me through two events that threatened to shatter my belief in God, gave me the words my students needed to hear as well, as I helped them travel through their own grief.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you only read one book this year, read this book. Everyone knows this psalm but does anyone really know what it means? I can't begin to explain what comfort I received from Rabbi Kushner's explanations of each line of the Twenty-third Psalm. There were times I read the book with tears in my eyes as his revelations struck a chord with me. You don't have to be Jewish to appreciate his words; you don't even have to be a believer in G-d. Just to know that there is something greater than yourself that is caring for you is enough. Of course, he explains this so much better than I.
Read this book. It may change your outlook on life.

[Elizabeth Geynovich Douthit · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author is a Jewish rabbi, so the theology was from a different perspective than the Christian one. Book contained some interesting thoughts. Was looking for some fresh insight into this psalm, but did not really get some; however, gained some knowledge into the Jewish belief and interpretation of some scripture. (Particularly, the views that were started by Jewish mystic sun 16th century and “endorsed by rational thinkers…that the problems of the world were too great for one person (God) to solve…Rather, every one of us had to be a ‘messiah in miniature’ doing something however small to repair and redeem the world.”) I dislike this view that limits the omnipotent God so clearly seen in the Bible.

[Bidisha Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

reassuring, philosophical treatise.
a must read for anyone undergoing grief or wrestling with lukewarm faith. banishes the myth of a genie God and firmly places the foundation of the holiness of this human experience.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each line of the 23rd Psalm examined in detail by a rabbi of vast intelligence, insight and wisdom. He doesn't just stick to the Judaic interpretation. It is a wondrous read - you won't just say or read it in rote after you read this book.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my current Bible study book and I have loved Kushner's breaking down this beloved psalm line by line. I like that he raises different points about this psalm because of his added knowledge as a rabbi. He is able to explain what the Hebrew word in the psalm means and how at times we have translated it in a manner that strays from the original intent. This is not a long book, but I read it over a period of weeks because I wanted to think and contemplate what I had read. I look forward to reading more books by Kushner.

[Pamela Gottfried · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight to reread this book in these months of personal & global tumult. Rabbi Kushner’s memory is truly a blessing.

[Elizabeth Ricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kushner shows us a great way to study scripture. This was completely inspiring. I will read it again and again.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

"God's promise was never that life would be fair," writes Rabbi Harold Kushner, best-known for his bestseller When Bad Things Happen to Good People. "God's promise was that, when we had to confront the unfairness of life, we would not have to do it alone" (page 3). This, Kushner points out, reflects the wisdom of Psalm 23. Many volumes could be written about this psalm, Kushner says, since "the Twenty-third Psalm gives us an entire theology, a more practical theology than we can find in many books" (page 9). Kushner's short book walks us, verse by verse, through the orchard of Psalm 23, plucking bits of wisdom along the way.

"We can read this Twenty-third Psalm as a drama in three acts," Kushner writes (page 164). I take my cue from Kushner and divide this review into three parts:

(1)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul. (Psalm 23:1-3)

"Act one is serene, pastoral," Kushner comments. "The psalmist feels safe and secure, and he thanks God, his faithful shepherd, for providing him with that security."

This part of the Psalm reminds me of the more idyllic seasons of Life. Perhaps one purpose of this part of the Psalm is to remind us of God's role "behind the scenes" of the pleasant parts of Life. It's all too easy to grow complacent when everything is going well--I know I, personally, am vulnerable to this spiritual blind-spot.

Rabbi Kushner offers a number of informed points which help us appreciate these verses. To better understand the responsibilities of a shepherd--and the meaning Psalm 23 would carry for ancient hearers--Kushner directs us (at page 21) to Jacob's self-declared conscientiousness as a shepherd to Laban's flocks (Genesis 31:38-39); and, in fact, a shepherd's duties were so serious that they're written into the Mosaic Law (see Exodus 22:10-13).

Also, Kushner points out that the Hebrew for "still waters" is mei menuhot--"waters of rest and relaxation" (page 56). And how, specifically, does God "restore [our] soul[s]"? For starters, by giving us the "rest and relaxation" commanded by the Sabbath: "Do you know who was the first to replenish his soul on the Sabbath? God Himself....(Exodus 31:13-17). In Hebrew, the verbs referring to God's resting and being refreshed are shavat, "He stopped," from which we get the word 'Sabbath'" (page 65).

(2)
Yea, though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil for Thou art with me.
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou anointest my head with oil.
My cup runneth over. (Psalm 23:4-5)

"Act two turns dark and stormy," Kushner comments. "The psalmist's life is interrupted by trauma, tragedy and bereavement...he finds himself alone in a dark valley. Then he learns he is not really alone. He comes to see God not only as the source of the good things in life, but as the source of comfort and consolation in hard times" (page 164)

Just as complacency about God is a spiritual risk during good times, rejection of God is a hazard during down times. "A skeptic might ask, If the Lord is my shepherd, if it's His responsibility to keep me safe, why isn't He doing a better job of it?" (page 21) It's noteworthy that Rabbi Kushner has personal experience with this: when his son died (of progeria), Rabbi Kushner and his wife attended a support group; there, he met people "who were so angry at God that they had not set foot in a church or synagogue for years" (page 101). Kushner understands this anger. At best, all we can say is what was mentioned at the head of this review: God's promise is that, in those times we feel deluged by the slings and arrows of life, we need not endure that trial alone; God's promise is the comfort to "protect us from letting pain and loss define our lives" (page 98).

A scholarly footnote: Rabbi Kushner points out that in Psalm 23, "the Hebrew text does not speak of 'the shadow of death'--the original Hebrew word was tzalamut, meaning 'deep darkness.' But the editors of the King James Bible read it as two words tzal mavet ('the shadow of death'), and in a sense they may have understood what the author was trying to say better than the author himself did" (page 86).

Kushner also directs our attention to the shift in Divine pronoun from "He" (verses 1-3) to "Thou" (verses 4-5). The transition is important, Kushner observes: In using "He," the psalmist is "offering us theology, talking to us about God," but in the switch to "Thou," the psalmist is "offering religion, the experience of encountering God" (pages 100-101).

On to verse 5. When I, personally, read "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies," I am reminded of God's comforting of a fearful, dejected Elijah at 1 Kings 19:4-6:
But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness,
and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested
for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now,
O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an
angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals,
and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.

And when I read "Thou anointest my head with oil," I'm reminded of the healing advice given in the Christian Scriptures:
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:14-15)

Rabbi Kushner finds significance in the word anointed: "[The word] 'Christ'...[is] a Greek word meaning 'the anointed one'....If every one of us, like the author of the Twenty-third Psalm, feels anointed by God,...then every one of us has a responsibility to make this world a little bit more like the world God would like it to be" (pages 139-140).

Lastly, for Rabbi Kushner, the verse "my cup runneth over" connotes gratitude, "the fundamental religious emotion" (page 145). And indeed, insofar as gratitude occurs when we realize we've received a gift "not by [our] own efforts" (page 146), then to have gratitude is to see our possessions as expressions of Divine Grace. Conversely, an inability to be grateful often points to the deeper spiritual maladies of feeling entitled ["I deserve it!"] or self-sufficient ["I could have gotten that myself!"] (page 150-151).

(3)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6)

Just a couple of points here:
(a) "Whole books have been written about the Hebrew word hesed, here translated as 'mercy,' more commonly rendered as 'lovingkindness.' I like to think of hesed as 'unearned love'...[though] is there really any other kind [of love]?" (pages 160-161)

(b) "What does it mean to dwell in the house of the Lord? 'Home' is such an evocative word. It speaks of love, an enduring relationship. [In "Death of the Hired Man,"] Robert Frost defines it as 'something you somehow don't have to deserve'...[it] symbolizes safety, security, a refuge from the dangers of the world outside" (page 165)

In sum, I'm delighted I've read Rabbi Kushner's gem of a book; it's deepened my meditations on the 23rd Psalm. I know I'd be pleased to read this book again.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those books that rested on my bookshelf for some time, waiting for the day when "I should get that one read." Well, I finally picked it up. I am so glad I did.

I remember reading Kushner's first big hit, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" many years ago. Subsequent books have been pretty good, but not quite to that level. But this one ranks right up there with his first.

The words of the 23rd Psalm have brought comfort and peace to many people for thousands of years. Why? Kushner walks us through these well-known, but sometimes not fully understood, words with the insight of a life-long Rabbi. Interestingly, without diving into the teachings of Jesus too often, Kushner nevertheless often reflects a more accurate understanding of Jesus and the nature of God than many Christians and pastors I know. He certainly challenges the false teaching of modern Christian fundamentalists and evangelicals with a broad and deep understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures and the God actually found therein.

This is a book of hope for those walking through dark valleys. From his work in a congregation, it is clear that Kushner has a keen understanding of the spirituality found in 12-Step programs that save the lives of those struggling with addiction. He refers to these insights, sometimes directly but often indirectly, throughout the book. And as a person who is familiar with the 12 Step program, these insights and connections were refreshing and encouraging.

By the end of this little book the reader has a fresh and positive understanding of God and the care of love God has for all people. The reader will gain profound insights to these oft repeated words. Most of all, the reader will close the final chapter having regained a sense of hope, encouragement and grace that come from a loving God who keeps promises. I highly recommend this book for everyone.

[Ted Hovey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it's fair to say that for many people, the Twenty-third Psalm is a favorite part of the Bible. It has been a favorite of mine since childhood. Why? What is it about this Psalm that appeals to us?

Rabbi Harold S. Kushner writes: "The primary message of the Twenty-third Psalm is not that bad things will never happen to us. It is that we will not have to face those bad things alone, 'for Thou art with me.'"

And: "God is the one who is with us when we have to do something hard. He is the one who is with us when we are tempted to feel that the world has abandoned us. He is the one who is with us when we feel alone in the valley of the shadow."

I have found the awareness of the presence of God to be a great comfort over the years, when things looked dark in my life.

Kushner goes through each verse of the Psalm and explains it in clear language and with human life experiences. This book helped me to better understand the Psalm that I've turned to many times.

The reason I gave the book only three stars is that Kushner did not address a translation issue that has bothered me for some time. My church (Lutheran - ELCA) uses the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. In the NRSV, the sixth verse of the Twenty-third Psalm ends with "...and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long." Kushner's book presents the final phrase of the Psalm as, "And I Shall Live in the House of the Lord Forever." This is the language I grew up with and that gave me so much hope.

I wish Rabbi Harold S. Kushner would have dealt with this apparent contradiction. Does "... my whole life long" mean eternal as well as temporal life? I hope so.

[Salem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kushner dissects the the well known Psalm verse by verse, elucidating in fascinating detail why exactly these words (the King James translation) provide such comfort to so many people in so many circumstances.

Despite a cringe-worthy sentence every chapter or so ("that is why many members of minority groups adopt extreme hairstyles and give their children unusual names"), demonstrating Kushner's unfortunate sexism and racism, the book overall is very valuable.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be the most inspirational book you will ever read (outside of a Bible). If you are questioning life or have lost your faith (no matter what religion), this book will help
guide you on the path to healing.

It's a must read for everyone.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This was a great and simple commentary on the 23rd Psalm.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

can be used as lesson/group discussion

[John Holst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have used this wonderful book as part of a church book study several times. The participants always enjoy Rabbi Kushner's style of connecting his life stories to their own stories.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been drawn to the 23rd Psalm and this book gave me a much greater connection to it and understanding of it. I really loved it. It spoke to the core of my spiritual being.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were several parts of this book which were incredibly well written, and they would have earned five stars on there own. However, I was less impressed with the book as a whole. My recommendation is to pick up a copy from the library and read the first half of the book.

Below are a couple of my favorite quotes:

“Perhaps we need to ask ourselves, Which is greater faith: to love God because He gives us everything we ask for, or to love God because He is God, even if life turns out to be less full of blessings than we might have hoped. Would we really be happy if we got everything we craved and lacked for nothing?” –pg. 33
“God never ‘uses’ us to meet His needs. God is always aware of our feelings, seeing us as subjects, never mere objects. An employer or parent might be upset and angry when someone disobeys his instructions because he sees it as a challenge to his authority. God is upset and angry when His children disobey Him because He knows that the rules and commands are for our own good.” –pg. 81

“As one of America’s most prominent clergymen, the Reverend William Sloane Coffin, insisted, reaffirming his faith after the death of his son in an accident, ‘God’s was the first heart to break.’ This, then, might be the response of God to those who ask, ‘If the Lord is our shepherd, why do innocent people suffer and die?’ God does not, God cannot promise us happy endings in a world where laws of nature and human cruelty take their daily toll. God’s promise is not that we will be safe, but that we will never be alone.” –pg. 26

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Psalm 23 is the most quoted psalms in funerals yet I hadnt got the comfort that it brings until i experienced first-hand what it really meant to be devastated by the loss of a loved one.

I bought the ebook version days before flying home to have something to read while on the way to visit my ailing mother. She passed away the next day. It was a thursday. This book somehow helped me navigate through this difficult event of grieving to the path of healing.

The book is simple and direct as with other books written by the same author. He tries to dissect into bite-size yet profound wisdom the theology behind the psalm 23’s beautiful verses.

The writer of the psalm 23 (traditionally attributed to King David) knew what it feels like finding himself in the dark valley, gained the faith, turned to God and God worked a miracle for him. The miracle was not to remove the pain and loss. The miracle was that he was led and found a way out of the valley of the shadow.

It is easier to face trouble and misfortune when someone who cares stands with you, it is even reassuring and helpful when that someone is God.

One main point in the book is that gratitude is the fundamental religious emotion, where religion begins from a grateful heart. I agree for a fact when the author contended that egoistic senses of self-entitlement and self-sufficient make it hard for people to cultivate the habit of feeling grateful in all kinds of circumstances that life may throw at us.

“Psalm 23 is part of a song of praise to God for helping us feel safe in an unsafe world”. Its verses are the Bible’s clearest and most direct answer to the problems of pain in this world as the book puts it: “God does not explain, God comforts!”

[Diana Bliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not big on self help books but I really do enjoy Harold Kushner's books. His gentle soul comes through as he writes and his experiences in the world have informed him. Unlike other self help books his is not theoretical, do this and you'll feel better, his is practical. He has experienced suffering and loss and shares those experiences not to say 'poor pity me' but to say 'here's what I've learned the hard way'.
This particular book is a study of the 23rd Psalm which has always been my favourite part of the Bible. I learned it as a child and remember it all the time as I go through my adult life. He goes through the verse line by line describing the functional way we relate to God during good times and difficult times. He isn't preachy, you don't have to be Jewish to gain from reading it, and he speaks to the reader as an intelligent person.
I can recommend all his books but this one whether you are religious or not will definitely be one well worth the read. Enjoy.

[Paul Saas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rabbi Harold Kushner who also wrote When Bad Things Happen to Good People presents a phrase by phrase analysis of the 23rd Psalm. He draws heavily on his own Jewish background but he also includes some Christian and secular perspectives. He is pastoral in his approach and has an engaging and comforting way of writing. Kushner presents a theology of life including addressing questions such as why does God allow suffering or evil to happen. In addition to Jewish scripture, he also references recent events as well as a discussion of his own personal loss. He sees God as not preventing bad things from happening but rather being present to those who are suffering and providing strength to get through difficult times. His message is about trusting God sometimes in spite one's circumstances. I found this a valuable and enjoyable book. I highly recommend it.

[Amy Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thought provoking. The author gives his understanding of what he thought the psalmist meant when the 23rd psalm was written while going on to get express what he believe it means for people now. Kushner also provides his insight from other theologians or scholars on what they believe the psalm means.

Each phrase of the psalm is broken down into it's own chapter.

this will be a book I keep and refer back to over and over again.
The book is so dog-eared, I'm sure no one else would want it. :)

[Ahmad Fraz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man and God relationship

I have read all books written by Harold and have recommended to friends and family. Existence is relationship and this book describes in very loving way as how that relationship exists between God and man. As with all relationships, the relationship between Man and God is also not with its joys and disappointments and those ups and downs don’t define the relationship but they strengthen it.

[Scott Beddingfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful meditation on a most famous Psalm. Rabbi Kushner unpacks it through a dedicated chapter for each verse (the verse helpfully repeated across the top of each chapter page). Explanations of the original Hebrew for many of the word translations are enlightening and expand the meaning of the familiar. Kushner’s personal experience, both as teacher/speaker and husband/parent adds applications. S meaning to the theme. A fast but fulfilling read.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an inspiring book about the 23rd Psalm. Although, I not Jewish, Rabbi Kushner's enlightened explanations of each line of this Psalm, helped me to understand and live my own Christian Faith better. This book strengthened my faith in God. For anyone who has ever encountered the joy and pain of human life, this book is truly worth reading.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great reflection on Psalm 23. I was intrigued after hearing a reference to this book during a funeral Mass homily where the priest talked about how sometimes people can feel stuck in the valley of the shadow. Been there. The timeless wisdom that comes from this passage can really bring great comfort, and it was helpful to read Rabbi Kushner's interpretation of its meaning.