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The Lord Is My Shepherd: Psalm 23 for the Life of the Church (A Biblical Commentary & Exposition of Psalm 23)
Academy of Parish Clergy 2022 Top Five Reference Book
There are few biblical texts more familiar to Christians than Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want . . ." It is one of the Bible's most popular passages, retaining a special place in ministry and giving hope to the burdened.
Internationally recognized Old Testament scholar Richard Briggs helps readers understand the power and vision of Psalm 23. He offers a close word-by-word and phrase-by-phrase reading of this classic and beloved text, showing how it can speak afresh to the life of the church today. Briggs explores the reception of Psalm 23 down through the ages, covers background issues, and examines the ways the psalm addresses practical issues such as stress, death, enemies, and hope. The book helps reconnect the Christian church to the Old Testament, making it perfect for sermon preparation and small group study.
The Touchstone Texts series addresses key Bible passages, making high-quality biblical scholarship accessible to the church. The series editor is Stephen B. Chapman, Duke Divinity School.
There are few biblical texts more familiar to Christians than Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want . . ." It is one of the Bible's most popular passages, retaining a special place in ministry and giving hope to the burdened.
Internationally recognized Old Testament scholar Richard Briggs helps readers understand the power and vision of Psalm 23. He offers a close word-by-word and phrase-by-phrase reading of this classic and beloved text, showing how it can speak afresh to the life of the church today. Briggs explores the reception of Psalm 23 down through the ages, covers background issues, and examines the ways the psalm addresses practical issues such as stress, death, enemies, and hope. The book helps reconnect the Christian church to the Old Testament, making it perfect for sermon preparation and small group study.
The Touchstone Texts series addresses key Bible passages, making high-quality biblical scholarship accessible to the church. The series editor is Stephen B. Chapman, Duke Divinity School.
- GenresTheologyOld Testament
224 pages, Hardcover
Published October 26, 2021
About the author
Richard S. Briggs
28 books1 followerRichard S. Briggs (PhD, University of Nottingham) is director of biblical studies and hermeneutics at Cranmer Hall, St. John’s College, University of Durham in Durham, England. He is the author of several books.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 20, 2022
Few biblical passages are as well-known or as beloved as the Twenty-third Psalm. Perhaps only the Lord's Prayer ranks with this Psalm in the hearts of Christians. So, as a pastor, I've turned to it time and again in funeral services. In fact, I've tended to use the King James Version of the Psalm. Sometimes that has been the request of the family, but more often it is because that form is so well-known. Even if you're not a church person, you likely know this particular version of the Psalm.
While numerous devotional books, such as Philip Keller's A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 have used the Psalm as the starting place, could it warrant a scholarly book devoted only to its verses? The answer is yes, as is seen in Richard Briggs' The Lord Is My Shepherd. This commentary on the Psalm is the opening volume of a new series from Baker Academic titled Touchstone Texts. This series asks authors to dive deep into a specific text, offering theological exposition. In this case, it is Psalm 23.
Although Psalm 23 is one of the most familiar passages of scripture, it presents its own challenges when it comes to interpretation. The challenges emerge from the complexity of the psalm. Authorship, though traditionally attributed to David, is unknown. The purpose is also unknown. Dating is unknown. Thus, it lends itself to multiple forms of interpretation, some of which can stray far from the actual text. What Briggs desires to do here is "allow the picture that Psalm 23 actually paints to shine forth more clearly and constructively" (p. 2). While he seeks to come to the text with a fresh set of eyes, not over-interpreting or reconstructing the text, he often finds that traditional readings and translations might have it right. Though this is a scholarly venture, Briggs brings not only a critical eye but a pastoral one as well.
There is a lengthy and detailed introduction that sets out the parameters of the study, offering insight into the ways in which the text has been read and utilized. Then, in the three central chapters, Briggs examines the "world behind the text." That is, the background information. Here Briggs talks about language, noting how the text appears in Hebrew, in Greek (LXX), and Latin (Vulgate). There is the question of authorship (it's unknown though the Davidic attributions have meaning depending on how it is translated and interpreted). There is a word about titles of the Psalms, as well as questions of who is speaking in the Psalm. He spends time exploring the significance of shepherding in the Psalm. What does this mean that the Lord is the Shperhed? What does Shepherding involve? Since this is an image regularly used in preaching, this is worth the preacher's attention. Finally, he discusses how the Psalm fits into the larger Psalter. All of this is helpful to understanding the passage.
From there we move to exegesis -- "The World in Psalm 23." In chapter 3, Briggs takes us verse by verse, line by line, exegeting the Psalm, showing us how these words are translated, giving us new insights. One of the most fascinating is the discussion verse four, which the KJV translates as "though I walk through the shadow of death." He goes into the various of rending the Hebrew, and in the end, comes out suggesting that the traditional view that involves the presence of death might be on target. This section will be of great interest and assistance to preachers who choose to bring the passage to their congregations. At the end of the chapter, he offers his own fresh translation. Interestingly, he chooses the traditional rendering of verse 4: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me . . . " (pp. 128-129).
Chapter 4 focuses on the way this passage is used within ministry. The chapter is titled The World in front of Psalm 23." As you might expect one of the central concerns is the role this Psalm plays in funerals and in worship. He also addresses the question of how the psalm is read in Jewish and Christian contexts. Thus, he explores how the passage might be interpreted to refer to Jesus. He also explores how the Psalm might offer comfort to those in need of it. Ultimately, he sees this as a call to pilgrimage, such that the Psalm "envisages all of life as worship and invites us to orient our whole lives toward hope in the Lord as we travel onward." (p. 170).
As this book is directed at preachers, the conclusion takes up that area of concern. The word of encouragement here is to let the text speak for itself. In other words, try to get out of the way of the text so that we might see what God is up to.
I do believe this is a book worth engaging. In my later years of ministry, having worked through the lectionary passages, I decided to preach from the Psalms. They have much to say, not just as worship songs but as teaching moments. This book helps us engage in that kind of work.
While numerous devotional books, such as Philip Keller's A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 have used the Psalm as the starting place, could it warrant a scholarly book devoted only to its verses? The answer is yes, as is seen in Richard Briggs' The Lord Is My Shepherd. This commentary on the Psalm is the opening volume of a new series from Baker Academic titled Touchstone Texts. This series asks authors to dive deep into a specific text, offering theological exposition. In this case, it is Psalm 23.
Although Psalm 23 is one of the most familiar passages of scripture, it presents its own challenges when it comes to interpretation. The challenges emerge from the complexity of the psalm. Authorship, though traditionally attributed to David, is unknown. The purpose is also unknown. Dating is unknown. Thus, it lends itself to multiple forms of interpretation, some of which can stray far from the actual text. What Briggs desires to do here is "allow the picture that Psalm 23 actually paints to shine forth more clearly and constructively" (p. 2). While he seeks to come to the text with a fresh set of eyes, not over-interpreting or reconstructing the text, he often finds that traditional readings and translations might have it right. Though this is a scholarly venture, Briggs brings not only a critical eye but a pastoral one as well.
There is a lengthy and detailed introduction that sets out the parameters of the study, offering insight into the ways in which the text has been read and utilized. Then, in the three central chapters, Briggs examines the "world behind the text." That is, the background information. Here Briggs talks about language, noting how the text appears in Hebrew, in Greek (LXX), and Latin (Vulgate). There is the question of authorship (it's unknown though the Davidic attributions have meaning depending on how it is translated and interpreted). There is a word about titles of the Psalms, as well as questions of who is speaking in the Psalm. He spends time exploring the significance of shepherding in the Psalm. What does this mean that the Lord is the Shperhed? What does Shepherding involve? Since this is an image regularly used in preaching, this is worth the preacher's attention. Finally, he discusses how the Psalm fits into the larger Psalter. All of this is helpful to understanding the passage.
From there we move to exegesis -- "The World in Psalm 23." In chapter 3, Briggs takes us verse by verse, line by line, exegeting the Psalm, showing us how these words are translated, giving us new insights. One of the most fascinating is the discussion verse four, which the KJV translates as "though I walk through the shadow of death." He goes into the various of rending the Hebrew, and in the end, comes out suggesting that the traditional view that involves the presence of death might be on target. This section will be of great interest and assistance to preachers who choose to bring the passage to their congregations. At the end of the chapter, he offers his own fresh translation. Interestingly, he chooses the traditional rendering of verse 4: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me . . . " (pp. 128-129).
Chapter 4 focuses on the way this passage is used within ministry. The chapter is titled The World in front of Psalm 23." As you might expect one of the central concerns is the role this Psalm plays in funerals and in worship. He also addresses the question of how the psalm is read in Jewish and Christian contexts. Thus, he explores how the passage might be interpreted to refer to Jesus. He also explores how the Psalm might offer comfort to those in need of it. Ultimately, he sees this as a call to pilgrimage, such that the Psalm "envisages all of life as worship and invites us to orient our whole lives toward hope in the Lord as we travel onward." (p. 170).
As this book is directed at preachers, the conclusion takes up that area of concern. The word of encouragement here is to let the text speak for itself. In other words, try to get out of the way of the text so that we might see what God is up to.
I do believe this is a book worth engaging. In my later years of ministry, having worked through the lectionary passages, I decided to preach from the Psalms. They have much to say, not just as worship songs but as teaching moments. This book helps us engage in that kind of work.
February 24, 2026
This is a great “close reading” of Psalm 23. Briggs carefully looks at the text for the text’s sake. Along the way, he gently (and sometimes almost-not-so-gently) reproves other readings, both scholarly and devotional, that pay more attention to background details than the text itself. For the most part, he defends a traditional translation and interpretation of the psalm.
February 15, 2026
The exegesis and ministry chapter are my favorite chapters in this book. In the first two chapters, he challenges modern and postmodern scholarship on the psalm and offers a revised framework for exegesis, which is helpful. My question on what “to David” means in the psalms was finally answered.
The one thing I had difficulty with was the circuitous discussions in chapters one and two. The discussion was not linearly organized and it was difficult to take notes.
The one thing I had difficulty with was the circuitous discussions in chapters one and two. The discussion was not linearly organized and it was difficult to take notes.
November 13, 2021
4.5 stars. I enjoy the 23rd Psalm and this commentary on it does a good job explaining it. The author covers how it has been taught correctly and incorrectly and then moves into how to apply it to today. Recommended
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews