The Lord Is My Shepherd: Psalm 23 for the Life of the Church (A Biblical Commentary & Exposition of Psalm 23) (Touchstone Texts)

Product Description
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 for the church. The series editor is Stephen B. Chapman, Duke Divinity School.
From the Inside Flap
"In this fresh exploration of Psalm 23, Briggs deftly demonstrates that for the church the most interesting and promising paths through this famous psalm not only begin with the text but continually return to it."
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David J. Shepherd, Trinity College Dublin
"What new thing could possibly be said about Psalm 23 after all these years? Surely nothing. But that--as Briggs contends so convincingly--is not the point. We do not need a 'new' thing, a new way to read and understand this psalm. The ancient text is as alive, vibrant, colorful, meaningful, metaphorical, complex, challenging, comforting, and simply beautiful as it has always been. It still speaks meaningfully, and each generation needs to hear its voice afresh for their life and context. Briggs helps us do just that. This thoroughly engaging journey in Psalm 23 takes us through critical readings and reflective exegesis before landing in the realms of how this ancient, well-known, and much-loved poem might speak to the twenty-first-century reader. You'll be glad you took the trip--I certainly am. Read and enjoy."
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Jamie Grant, Highland Theological College, University of the Highlands and Islands
"The waters of Psalm 23 are still, but very deep. This book will help any reader who wants to experience those depths more fully. Briggs's exploration offers a richness of insight about meanings and experiences of this psalm. The book does not just help the reader encounter Psalm 23 as a single piece of Israelite hymnody; it offers thoughts that are beneficial for reading the Psalter as a whole. The reader is encouraged to listen for the voice of the psalmist and to explore how this voice has spoken across the centuries and how it can speak to us today. Thoughtful and scholarly but also accessible, this book will greatly benefit preachers and teachers and also any Christian who wants to dive deep into this touchstone text."
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Jenni Williams, vicar of St. Matthew with St. Luke Oxford; former tutor, Wycliffe Hall Oxford
From the Back Cover
The Touchstone Texts series addresses key Bible passages, making high-quality biblical scholarship accessible for the church. The series editor is Stephen B. Chapman.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want . . ." There are few biblical texts more familiar to Christians than Psalm 23. This volume helps readers understand the power and vision of this psalm by offering a close word-by-word and phrase-by-phrase reading.
"Briggs offers a fresh study of this beloved and familiar psalm, but even more, he uses it as a key to open the gate into the vast garden of biblical interpretation, which has been much tended from ancient times to the present. He is the best kind of guide; his deep and wide knowledge, engaging style, and genuine faith are both eye-opening and edifying for readers who share his interest, even if they do not share his expertise."
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Ellen