Psalm 23 Sermon


For the month of September, I am using a sermon that I wrote on the 23rd Psalm. It is a different kind of sermon for me, because I am doing something that my Homiletics teacher, the late Dr. Poovy said not to do, that is bringing the exegesis into the pulpit. He always said to proclaim the gospel, but keep the exegesis in the study. However, with this sermon, I found that the exegesis brings the Psalm alive for the preacher and the congregation.

Since I am limited to around 400 to 500 words for an article, I am going to spread this sermon over 4 weeks.

 

"Psalm 23--A life of faith"

I would like to read the 23rd Psalm from the RSV since this is one of the more familiar versions of this glorious Psalm:

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me,

Thou preparest a table before be in the presence of my enemies; thou annointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." (RSV)

 

This beautiful poem has to be one of the all time favorite Bible verses. Have you ever thought about the person who wrote this poem and why he wrote it? Most of the psalms have been attributed to David, but regardless of the authorship, have you wondered why it was written and when?

As you think through the words of this poem, picture in your mind the settings described, think of the situations it speaks to? Was this written by a young man beginning life, or an older man in the autumn of life, reviewing all that had happened to him? Does this man have faith and belief in this God who was like a shepherd to him? Sure he does!! This is a poem written by a man in the waning years of his life recalling his faith in a God who was like a good shepherd to him.

Picture the author by a cool mountain stream, laying in the grass, the sun shining bright, the birds chirping, the flies and bees

The copyright of the article Psalm 23 Sermon in Homiletics/Preaching is owned by Tim Zingale. Permission to republish Psalm 23 Sermon in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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