PSALM 23 is one of the best-known and most often-quoted passages in the Bible. The psalm is commonly used in the context of death and the funeral service. Indeed, Psalm 23 is more about how a person lives in relationship to God than how one faces death or finds security beyond the grave.

In his book, No 23, Precious Okolobo takes critical study of this popular psalmin the Bible.The 184-page book, with bold print published by Joevine Editors, has been arranged to enable the reader to grasp the underlying meaning of the psalm, which sits well with the word of God.

Former General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Nigeria, Rev Chidi Okoroafor (PhD), who wrote the foreword to the book on Psalm 23, says, “Okolobo delves into an x-ray of King David.”

He continues, themes employed by the author spice up this book. “This book is inspirational, academic, it goes for praxis in the field of theology. I recommend and endorse this book as a preacher’s handbook.”

The 23rd psalm is appealing in its simplicity, yet profound in the way it speaks about creator and creative. The work encourages the reader to look at the shepherd, in fact, the author brings the truth of of psalm 23 to life in sharp focus.

In his dissection of psalms, the author classifies them as ranging from Historical, Thanksgiving, praise, songs, royal, messianic, prayer, lament and imprecatory, confession, repentance and wisdom.

From chapter one, the author brings a cryptic analysis of the Man, David. He unveils the meaning of David as Beloved. Making reference to its Hebrew root, the author says the life of David is a fascinating study of how providence works and guides destinies. The author dwells on the life of David as a shepherd tending the flock in the field. The chapter also interrogates his life as a musician, his flight from Saul and eventual anointing as a king.

In this chapter, the author looks from obscurity to authority, and concludes with the fact that David is the man after God’s heart.

Drawing from a communal consciousness about God as a shepherd for the nation,the author reveals that David emerges as a human who falls at the feet of God in times of victory and strength as well as weakness and failure.

The author expresses this understanding in very personal terms. It is from chapter three that the import of the book begins to come out. Here, the author starts his dissection of Psalm 23. Psalm 23:1 summarises the message of the whole. Verse 1a declares, “The Lord is my shepherd” and thus acknowledges God as the one who protects and guides. It is important to recognize, however, that “shepherd” connotes more than someone who herds sheep. Shepherd was a royal metaphor in the ancient Near East. Therefore, to call God shepherd is to acknowledge God as one who rules over one’s life, to surrender to the will to God.

After the metaphorical statement, “The Lord is my shepherd,” verse 1b adds the unqualified phrase “I shall not want” which could also be rendered “I have no lack.” The absolute character of this second phrase is striking. It suggests the Lord is all one really needs, that God’s shepherding care provides all that is essential to life.

The shepherd metaphor, with all its varied expressions, raises the historical memory of a people shepherded by God. Unique to Psalm 23, however, is the extremely personal expression of God’s care. Nowhere else in the Bible does anyone say, “the Lord is my shepherd.” Herein lies the key to the vibrancy of Psalm 23 in the life of faith.

The chapter looks at the best way to discover yourself and concludes that it is to read the book of palms. The 150 psalms in the Bible are put forward for dissection.

The rest of the psalm illustrates how and why this is true. The list of provisions in verses 2-5, however, should not be understood as a restrictive list of what a person needs (e.g. food, water, safety, protection from enemies).

A close reading of verse 5 shows God’s extravagant care of the psalmist. This verse shifts the imagery, from shepherd to host. As a host who gives refuge to the psalmist beset by enemies, God offers abundant food and drink, oil for grooming, as well as the assurance of safety. The expression “my cup overflows” the psalmist not only has basic provisions, but also enjoys abundance.

Although Psalm 23 is spoken by an individual, it connects with a wide association of texts that incorporate the experience of Israel. The Old Testament associates God’s shepherding with two defining experiences in Israel’s corporate life: the exodus/wilderness (Psalm 77:20; 78:52-53; 80:1) and the exile (Isaiah 40:11; 49:9-10).

In chapter 11, he dwells on “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” The final verse continues the language of riches and blessing with two hopeful claims. The first claim is that “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (verse 6a). That “goodness” will follow the psalmist probably needs no explanation. Chapter 12 and 13 is all about a return to God, and seek the love of God.
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