Psalm 23
I once heard the story of a young girl who had memorized Psalm 23 and was eager to share it in her Sunday School class. With all the courage she could muster, she stood up and confidently said, “The Lord is my shepherd; that’s all I want!” Though humorous and sweet, that statement is packed with truth.
David’s first occupation was a shepherd, and he deeply understood the relationship between a shepherd and his flock. It’s from this experience he penned the most well-known Psalm in the Bible. Like a shepherd cares for his sheep, God cares for his people, the sheep of his pasture. He provides for us and protects us. He leads us and guides us. He continually pours out his goodness and love upon us. If one of his sheep goes astray, he will search for it and bring it home.
Children love sheep! They are gentle, soft, and woolly–and they say BAA. Psalm 23 is a great way to introduce children to the Bible, to the book of Psalms, and to the Shepherd who loves and cares for them.
There are several picture books based on Psalm 23. Here are a few:
The First Good Shepherd: Psalm 23 for Children by Martina Steinkuhler
The Lord is My Shepherd by Anne Wilson (illustrator)
The Lord is my Shepherd: Psalm 23 by Rob Lewis
Psalm 23 for Kids – New International Version or King James Version, edited by Paula Corley
Later this year, our own Glenys Nellist has a new book titled Snuggle Time Bible Stories. The adorable cover features two soft and woolly sheep. I’m looking forward to adding that to my grandkids’ libraries.
Here’s to gentle stories and Shepherd’s Psalms!
Crystal