“The Lord is my Shepherd: The Twenty-Third Psalm”
Gennady Spirin, illustrator.
Philomel Books, New York, 2008, 32 pages, all ages.
The Psalms are part of the life blood of the Church. In the Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours, clerics and professed religious are required to pray the Divine Office and the laity are encouraged to do the same. The current four volume set is frequently called “the Breviary.” The entire Liturgy of the Hours are centered on a four week reading of the 150 Psalms. Being the spiritual food of Israel, the Catholic Church has, from its institution, realized the sacred benefits of the Psalms. All the joys and sorrows, hopes and difficulties, suffering and redemption of ancient Israel are found in these musical, poetic literary gifts. Within the Psalter, as the compilation of the Psalms is known, the 23rd Psalm is a special favorite for many believers. Gennady Spirin has produced a lavishly illustrated text of this famous psalm by the title: “The Lord is my Shepherd: The Twenty Third Psalm.”
In perhaps the most famous line of the Old Testament we see and can almost hear the music in the opening of the psalm: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” A shepherd leads a flock of sheep over a hilly terrain while a young child plays a flute for two baby lambs. It is an entirely comforting scene of a pasture and forest. The second verse of the psalm has equally beautiful paintings. “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” The pasture is filled with lovely trees, a herd of deer running through the forest and a flock of geese standing next to a still lake. Over these still waters three white geese spread their wings and begin a flight.
Picture after picture gives a lush design to the psalm. The protection God provides is amply seen in the verses “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” Now, the three geese have landed and provide guidance and comfort against an evil goose intent on attacking. The artist then paints an angel shielding us from evil by the use of a rod and staff and we are safe and comforted. The beneficence of God continues to be shown in the banquet table spread before our enemies. A lion protects us against attacking enemies and keeps them at bay. As the psalm reaches its climax, readers see an angel anointing the head of a faithful man. And finally the faithful are carried into the “House of the Lord forever.”
This book is a visual and spiritual banquet for readers. The beauty and the glory of the 23rd psalm is evident in this gorgeous book. I hope that you get a chance to go to the library and checkout this marvelous title: “The Lord is my Shepherd: The Twenty Third Psalm” by Gennady Spirin.
As Lent has entered into Holy Week, I hope you take the chance to read this beautiful psalm to the younger members of your family. Good Friday is a difficult and painful day for Christians and we need to remember the hope and joy of Easter. The 23rd Psalm comforts us and tells of God’s great love for His children. In that way we will realize that: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Have a blessed Easter!
