The Lord Is My Shepherd: Healing Wisdom of the Twenty-third Psalm

Since reading this book I have given it to several friends and family after they're lost of love ones.

This is the fifth of Rabbi Kushner's books that I've read. The first four that I read were full of unexpected and unique insights. However, I delayed buying this book because my present precarious impecunious state requires unusual thriftiness and because I couldn't imagine what new exposition could be possible for the 23rd Psalm.Well, I bought another book that I HAD to have, so I bought this one along with it to qualify for free shipping. How glad am I? Very, very. As his other books, it has wisdom that applies to everyday living that I didn't think of before. It is simple, direct, and profound. I especially benefit from his explanations of the Hebrew meanings of words and phrases that don't translate easily into English.I hope he writes many more books.

I had just experienced the death of my wife of 47 years. The 23rd Psalms has always been my go to scripture- but I needed more. More depth, more understanding and a companion while I was moving through the 'Valley of the Shadow of Death.' This book has been my companion. It helped me to slowly reread each verse and ponder some important points about living and life. More importantly - I could hear God's voice more clearly.I am a Christian Pastor. I have shared this book not only with my congregation but also with others whose life's journey takes them to those dark places. Harold S. Kushner is my favorite Rabbi, and author. If I could, I would sit with him for hours to talk about God and life. I love his mind and his humanity.

I wasn't expecting much from this book when I picked it up. Beloved though its subject might be, how much can you say about a 15-line bit of verse - the 23rd Psalm ? But Rabbi Harold Kushner uses his compassion and intellect to unpack each line. Though informed by scholarship, this is not a dry scholarly exercise. Kushner uses each line as jumping-off point for a sermon on human v. divine nature, arguing that the heart of faith is not just believing in God, or thinking that God will fix our problems, but in feeling the assurance that God is present and hears us. To Kushner, comfort comes not from an assurance that God will save us from evil, but that with God we are never alone.Along the way, we are treated to Kushner's insights about the Pieta, creative misinterpretations of Scripture, and a heavy dose of practical psychology, as gleaned from his own community and his audiences. The experience of his own son's death 20 years ago (of progeria, a rare genetic disorder that causes rapid aging and premature death) hangs over the entire work. Like the biblical Job, Kushner has wrestled with the meaning of death and how we can relate to God in the midst of death and suffering. Kushner's conclusions may challenge the easy answers grasped by some people of faith. But there is no doubt that he has walked through the valley of the shadow and emerged wiser and closer to God.Kushner's reading of his own work (on the audio CD) is gentle, fatherly and soothing -- a glimpse into a soul full of holiness. A wonderful gift for any thoughtful Jew or Christian.

If you believe in God from a Christian or Jew perspective, you can be enlightened and delighted with this thorough explanation of the psalm and benefit from taking the posture the psalmist(s) had when writing it. I have listened to this psalm throughout my whole life and never had the opportunity to fully see all that may be found in its deep meaning. It is amazing all can be expanded from these simple phrases.I usually love Harold Kushner's way of explaining spiritual material (Must read: "When Bad Things Happen to Good People", "Living a Life that Matters" and "How Good do We Have to Be") because, although his main point of view is a religious one, even if you don't believe or don't even want to think about these points of view, you can still get the full message, get a wise vision of life, adversity, the laws of nature, reality, joy, ethics, reaching for self fulfillment and integrity, etc. But, I must repeat, in order to enjoy and benefit from this book, I think you must believe in God because this one is much more religious than the other books I mentioned from the same author. If you want to understand what may be in the depths of the psalm and don't really care about feeling peace or living according to it, go ahead and read the book because it gives an interesting way of understanding what religion may provide or wants to give.

I keep this book by my bed, to reread in the dark hours, and I've sent copies to many friends and family members for the same purpose.

Love Kushner’s work! I have never had anyone interpret the 23rd Psalm like this. Very powerful!

I am now re-reading this book for the third time. It has brought me a greater understanding of this well known verse. I used some of Kushner’s thoughts in a recent children’s sermon.

I have been seeing the number 23 everywhere and realized that Angels are speaking to me. When opened the book, the author addressed me by name…I was meant to have this book!

I've read several books about this Psalm and in my opinion this is one of the most inspiring works about it. Rabbi Kushner doesn't comment the Psalm 23 words in theological terms, caring for make it logical, reasonable or rational, he speaks as a "cure d'âme" counselling and helping the wounded souls to find help.

This small book holds a wealth of wisdom. Irrespective of your religious views, Harold Kushner's thoughtful treatment of the well-known psalm will give you much food for thought. Each line of the psalm is considered and he uses his experiences as a long-serving rabbi to provide illustrations of the meanings behind the words. The section dealing with bereavement - the valley of the shadow of death - is particularly comforting. This is a book that will stay with you long after it is finished.

Like the author, and millions of others - this bit of writing - the Lord is my Shepherd is a brilliant psalm (sacred writing) in itself. Rabbi Kushner takes the reader line to line on interpreting the piece. I have read it many, many times - I have given copies to friends going through rough patches in their lives - it is a 'universal' read - (like the TV Series Shtisle many different religious adherents can gain insight in their daily lives from this read).

Absolutely delighted with the copy sent from this seller The condition was as brand new and also autographed by author!