Poetry give readers the opportunity to enter the mind of great writers, allowing their emotions to be stirred, imaginations to dream and reality of life to be explored. Langston Hughes’ ‘Song for a Dark Girl,’ Emily Dickinson’s ‘The Soul selects her own Society,’ and Robert Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken’ grant these opportunities to those who read. The Book of the Psalms in the Old Testament of the Bible, are filled with many poems and written songs granting the reader the same opportunities to experience deep emotion, use their imagination and face the reality of life. Psalm 23, written by King David, takes its reader to a field where a shepherd watches lovingly over his sheep. Through careful analysis by examining the attributes of a shepherd, literary devices, such as symbolism and metaphors, and exploring the focus of the poem, one will gain a richer and deeper appreciation for the love and care, expressed in song, God has for His children.
As we seek to understand the explanation of this psalm, it is imperative to note the definition of a shepherd. According to Dictionary.com, a shepherd is “a person who herds, tends and guards sheep;” it also means “a person who protects, guides, watches over a person or group of people” (Dictionary.com). A shepherd knows that sheep are very needy creatures and cannot take care of themselves adequately. The shepherd leads them to areas where there is proper food and water …show more content…
The shepherd represents the Lord, symbolizing his watch care over his sheep. The calming phrase, “to lie down in green pastures,” gives us a vision of the sheep assured and not worried, resting comfortably. As the narrator paints the picture of being made to “lie down in green pastures,” it highlights something more exciting and significant: the provision of nourishment and comfort. Sheep need nourishment to survive and the shepherd must know where the sheep must stop to eat and
As we seek to understand the explanation of this psalm, it is imperative to note the definition of a shepherd. According to Dictionary.com, a shepherd is “a person who herds, tends and guards sheep;” it also means “a person who protects, guides, watches over a person or group of people” (Dictionary.com). A shepherd knows that sheep are very needy creatures and cannot take care of themselves adequately. The shepherd leads them to areas where there is proper food and water …show more content…
The shepherd represents the Lord, symbolizing his watch care over his sheep. The calming phrase, “to lie down in green pastures,” gives us a vision of the sheep assured and not worried, resting comfortably. As the narrator paints the picture of being made to “lie down in green pastures,” it highlights something more exciting and significant: the provision of nourishment and comfort. Sheep need nourishment to survive and the shepherd must know where the sheep must stop to eat and