A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23
Book Review by Tom Gilbert · © LivingtheSolution.com
A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23
Author · Phillip Keller
Publisher - Thomas Nelson
A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller was first published in 1970. Now there over one million copies are in print and the insightful take on the classic psalm has probably inspired that many readers, maybe more. Reading it you recognize the writer’s authority and sense his deep devotion.
I received my copy of this book from my parents as a New Year’s gift in 2002. I’d never heard of it. Neither was I familiar with the author. I’ve since grown to love his beautiful insight and encouraging writing.
Phillip Keller has first hand experience with sheepherding. He had a working ranch for many years. This experience with the lovely, but frequently stubborn and frustrating sheep gives him a special insight into what David wrote about in Psalm 23. As Keller notes, sheep are a lot like people. They can be self-absorbed and easily tempted to wander off in search of greener pastures. Sheep can get tangled up in bushes, lost on the range, and are easily spooked. They are not the smartest animal, but under the loving hand of a dedicated shepherd they can flourish. Sheep are not loners; they live best in the community of their flock.
Each of the lines in Psalm 23 is a theme for a chapter in the book. Reading it, I kept seeing how my characteristics are indeed like a sheep. And I also recognized how much I long to “lie down in green pastures”, be lead to “still waters” and to “dwell in the house of the Lord forever”.
Christ is the Good Shepherd and he will go to any length to love, protect and care for his flock. We, as the flock of believers, know the voice of our Shepherd and we are glad when he finds us and cares for us. We can come to discover how the Shepherd has our best interests at heart, but often it is after we’ve wandered off and into trouble. As much as we may not like to admit it, we really do need looking after. Lucky are those who realize that the shepherd is always vigilant and caring and aware of his flock. Such cared for sheep are content and serene. Throughout the book the author shares his experience raising sheep and makes clear these analogies to humans.
Keller is a smart man. He was born in East Africa and grew up around wildlife. He experienced the outdoors. He also trained as an agrologist at the University of Toronto. After many years in land management and sheep ranch development in British Columbia he took on journalistic and photographic assignments in Africa and other countries around the world. And he has been an influential speaker in his church. I love his down-to-earth writing and how he shares his faith in a special way through this book.
The writer Marjorie Holmes said of this book, “It has added a new dimension to my own prayer life.” I think if you read it you may have a similar experience. It is a book to be cherished and re-visited.
This book is available at the Living the Solution Amazon.com store.
Tom Gilbert writes articles and reviews about the Christian life and maintains the e-ministry, Living the Solution (www.livingthesolution.com)
A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23
Author · Phillip Keller
Publisher - Thomas Nelson
A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller was first published in 1970. Now there over one million copies are in print and the insightful take on the classic psalm has probably inspired that many readers, maybe more. Reading it you recognize the writer’s authority and sense his deep devotion.I received my copy of this book from my parents as a New Year’s gift in 2002. I’d never heard of it. Neither was I familiar with the author. I’ve since grown to love his beautiful insight and encouraging writing.
Phillip Keller has first hand experience with sheepherding. He had a working ranch for many years. This experience with the lovely, but frequently stubborn and frustrating sheep gives him a special insight into what David wrote about in Psalm 23. As Keller notes, sheep are a lot like people. They can be self-absorbed and easily tempted to wander off in search of greener pastures. Sheep can get tangled up in bushes, lost on the range, and are easily spooked. They are not the smartest animal, but under the loving hand of a dedicated shepherd they can flourish. Sheep are not loners; they live best in the community of their flock.
Each of the lines in Psalm 23 is a theme for a chapter in the book. Reading it, I kept seeing how my characteristics are indeed like a sheep. And I also recognized how much I long to “lie down in green pastures”, be lead to “still waters” and to “dwell in the house of the Lord forever”.
Christ is the Good Shepherd and he will go to any length to love, protect and care for his flock. We, as the flock of believers, know the voice of our Shepherd and we are glad when he finds us and cares for us. We can come to discover how the Shepherd has our best interests at heart, but often it is after we’ve wandered off and into trouble. As much as we may not like to admit it, we really do need looking after. Lucky are those who realize that the shepherd is always vigilant and caring and aware of his flock. Such cared for sheep are content and serene. Throughout the book the author shares his experience raising sheep and makes clear these analogies to humans.
Keller is a smart man. He was born in East Africa and grew up around wildlife. He experienced the outdoors. He also trained as an agrologist at the University of Toronto. After many years in land management and sheep ranch development in British Columbia he took on journalistic and photographic assignments in Africa and other countries around the world. And he has been an influential speaker in his church. I love his down-to-earth writing and how he shares his faith in a special way through this book.
The writer Marjorie Holmes said of this book, “It has added a new dimension to my own prayer life.” I think if you read it you may have a similar experience. It is a book to be cherished and re-visited.
This book is available at the Living the Solution Amazon.com store.
Tom Gilbert writes articles and reviews about the Christian life and maintains the e-ministry, Living the Solution (www.livingthesolution.com)
Posted by Tom Gilbert at 5/15/2011 8:23 AM 
Categories: Reflections:Book Reflections
Tags: shepherd psalm 23 Christian book review Jesus Christ phillip keller
Categories: Reflections:Book Reflections
Tags: shepherd psalm 23 Christian book review Jesus Christ phillip keller
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