Psalm 23 is unequivocally the most famous Old Testament passage of scripture. Whether memorized or quoted from a platform, these poetic words have become a pillar of our world among believers and unbelievers. Augustine described it as the martyr’s hymn because church history records Christians quoting the 23rd Psalm as they gave their lives for the Gospel. Additionally, it is read at most hospital bedsides and funerals as loved ones move into eternity. President George Bush read it aloud to comfort a grieving nation after the attacks on September 11th, 2001. There were no greater words to express among such distressed people, no greater presentation than that that begins with, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
This passage of poetic expression is easy enough for a child to grasp but deep enough for the greatest of theologians to drown. Within six small verses, there is truth enough to spend eternity digesting.