A study of Psalm 23:
*This study is intended to be completed over three days for maximum benefit and is formatted accordingly. It is not so much designed for teaching but rather positioning you before The Father in a way that you may commune with Him and hear from Him personally. We can only benefit from other people’s accounts of God so much. The Lord desires a personal relationship with all of His children. Let us dig into His word and cultivate a stronger sense of who He is, and who we are in Him.
*Suggested supplies: Pens, markers, highlighters. Bible. Study Bible. Internet access. Journal. An open heart.
Day 1: Psalm 23:1-4
Analyze:
👓 Read the verses out loud.
👓 Who wrote Psalm 23?
👓 What were the circumstances surrounding the author’s writing? Do a brief investigation.
👓 Does anything in this passage confuse you? Research and gain clarity before moving on.
👓 Read the Verses out loud and circle any repeated words or phrases. Highlight any that stand out to you.
👓 Do you notice a theme or main idea?
Ask:
✝️ Is this passage inviting you to something that you may be neglecting or resisting?
✝️ What does the passage teach about God’s character? List the qualities of God unveiled in these verses.
✝️ Do verses 1-4 uncover any areas of unbelief in your life? If so list them.
✝️ Does anything specific bring you comfort, hope or healing in this passage? Write about it briefly.
Apply:
Read the passage out loud again.
🎚 Verses 1-4 present God as the Good Shepherd and us as His sheep. Take a few minutes and look up some characteristics of a relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. What parallels do you see between your relationship with your Shepherd?
🎚 What provisions do these verses speak of that The Good Shepherd makes available to us?
🎚 How would life be different if you embraced these provisions daily?
🎚 How might The Lord be asking you to respond to what has been uncovered today?
Pray:
🙏🏻 Read the verses out loud again.
🙏🏻 Take a few minutes and pray. Ask The Lord what He wants to reveal to you through this passage.
🙏🏻 Sit with your eyes closed in silence as long as needed. Write down any thoughts that come to mind.
Praise:
❤️ Close your time by thanking God for who He is and all that He is doing in your life.
❤️ List some of the ways He has been faithful to you recently.
❤️ When praise is our practice, we see through the heavy, right into the heart of the holy, and joy becomes our source of strength. ~ D’Anna
❤️ Continue listening to what God may be teaching or calling you to the rest of the day.
You are loved.❤️✝️
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A study of Psalm 23.
Day 2: Psalm 23:5-6
Analyze:
👓 Does anything in this passage confuse you? Research and gain clarity before moving on.
👓 Read the verses out loud and circle any repeated words or phrases. Highlight anything that stands out to you.
👓 Do you notice a main idea?
Ask:
✝️ Is this passage inviting you to something that you may be neglecting or resisting?
✝️ What does the passage teach about God’s character? List the qualities of God unveiled in these verses.
✝️ Do the verses uncover any areas of unbelief in your life? If so list them.
✝️ Does anything specific bring you comfort, hope or healing in this passage?
Pray:
🙏🏻 Read the verses out loud again.
🙏🏻 Take a few minutes and pray. Ask The Lord what He wants to reveal to you through this passage.
🙏🏻 Sit with your eyes closed in silence for as long as needed. Write down any thoughts that come to mind.
Apply:
Read the verses out loud again.
🎚 Verses 5-6 portray God as the host and us as guests at His table. What are some qualities of a host? Do you see any parallels between God, The gracious host, and you the guest at His table?
🎚 In what ways might you embrace the truths of this passage in your life?
🎚 How would this be life-changing for you?
🎚 Do you sense any specific ways The Lord is asking you to respond to what has been uncovered today?
Praise:
❤️ Close your time by thanking God for who He is and all that He is doing in your life.
❤️ List some of the ways He has been faithful to you recently.
❤️ Praise God in the hard places because praise is the gatekeeper for gratitude. Gratitude enables us to look straight through the difficult, the messy and the uncertainty to see our cup half full when it appears empty. ~ D’Anna
❤️ Continue listening to what God may be revealing or calling you to today.
You are loved.❤️✝️
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Day 3
Psalm 23
Reflection:
😇 Read all of Psalm 23 out loud.
😇 What if anything jumps out at you? Circle or highlight it. Make note of it and date it in your bible if you desire.
😇 What emotions does this Psalm elicit?
😇 Having studied the verses more intently, are there any new ways this Psalm is speaking to you?
😇 What has The Lord revealed about your heart and His the last couple of days? Briefly write about it.
😇 In light of verse 2 and 3, list some practical ways He may be calling you to rest and refreshment?
😇 Considering verse 3, what ways may God be wooing you towards righteousness?
😇 What do you think Psalm 23 offers that would make it easier for you to fear not? List what comes to mind. (verse 4)
😇 Verse 5 reveals that God meets our needs beyond just the necessities as oil is an expensive luxury. When we sit down and fest with Him at His table, how does this pave the way for our cups to runneth over?
😇 What would be different about your life if you lived every day believing verse 6? Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in The House of The Lord forever. (*Side note, the literal meaning of follow in this verse is pursue.)
Pray:
🙏🏻 Spend some time in prayer with The Good Shepherd.
Praise:
❤️ Close your time by thanking God for who He is and all that He is doing in your life.
❤️ List some of the ways He has been faithful to you through this study.
❤️ When we pray and praise our way through the valley of suffering we see God’s faithfulness and ever-present provisions despite our pain. This affords us patient perseverance because we know He is good and His ways are sometimes hard, but always holy. ~ D’Anna
❤️ Continue listening to what God may be revealing or calling you to today.
You are loved!❤️✝️
Enjoy this helpful graphic courtesy of Pinterest.