The Lord Is My Shepherd

By: Harold Kushner

Narrated by: Harold Kushner

Length: 4 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." So begins the psalm that, for millennia, has been a source of comfort in grief and of courage in fear. Now Harold Kushner discovers what it has to teach us about living our day-to-day lives. Each chapter discusses one line of the psalm in the context of both the time when it was written and the present day, and illuminates the life lessons contained within it. For example, Kushner shows us that the phrase "My cup runneth over" is a declaration of our gratitude for what life has given us and a rejection of the envy we may feel for what others have. And he draws on the ideas and thoughts of various spiritual figures - from G. K. Chesterton to Martin Buber to Paul Tillich - to further expand our understanding of this great psalm and help us benefit from its everyday spiritual wisdom.

©2003 Harold Kushner (P)2003 Random House Inc., Random House Audio, a Division of Random House Inc.

Critic Reviews

"His tone will make readers feel personally welcomed into the rabbi's study for a comforting one-on-one chat." (Publishers Weekly)

Sensational Masterpiece of Explanation

I normally do not indulge in too many religious authors because they normally use too much religious rhetoric. Harold S. Kushner, who is not in the company of the rhetoric authors, explains line for line the 23rd Psalms. He balances religion, science and plain common sense, leading you to a better understanding of the Psalm and GOD's purpose behind the words. By educating the listener on the original Hebrew language in which the Psalm was written, Kushner enriches your understanding of what the Psalm states and how important it is in our spiritual lives. I encourage everyone that is focusing on his/her spirtual journey to listen to this book. Unlike some religious literature, it respects the reader because it offers ideas, rather than force idealogy. I loved this book so much, I went out and bought a copy for my shelf as well.

30 of 31 people found this review helpful

Powerful Meaningful Understanding

This is such a powerful presentation of the 23rd Psalm that could apply to any person of any denomination. It covers every aspect of life in a meaningful way that assures a person that one can survive. One can go on. It was so enriching that as soon as I completed the first pass I started it all over again. Absolutely refreshing! So very comforting. Entirely illuminating!

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

So good it made me good back to the original

This is my favorite Psalm and I have read in many times.

I was so moved by Rabbi Kushners book that I went back to the Hebrew text and commentaries to better understand his sources.

Thank you Rabbi Kushner.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

a great comfort

it gave me peace and made the night less frightening. I love his calm voice and reassuring voice.

Finding new comfort, discovering I can choose to have light in darkness

I am studying the Psalms, above all Psalm 23 and 91. Rabbi Kushner explaines the ins and outs of Psalm 23, giving me a far better understanding of what this wonderful Psalm holds for us... Hope Rabbi Kushner, some day, will do the same for us with Psalm 91... One thing I did feel uncomfortable with was his use of some Christian examples and mentioning Jesus. Although, the examples were used in kind of a neutral background, so... this Noahide can live with it... Thank you Rabbi, you’ve made my life better, helped me to get closer to Hashem. — Alex. [e-mail]

Meaningful

This powerful book speaks to my heart. Rabbi Harold Kushner's explanation and interpretation of the 23rd Psalm has added lasting meaning to my life. By exploring the Psalm line by line, Rabbi Kushner has enabled me to visualize the images in each line of the Psalm so that I can use it as a personal source for meditation. When I became nervous during a medical procedure, I recited the 23td Psalm to myself and it calmed me down so that I could relax. It is a gift, a tool, which I continue to use daily.

Icing On The Cake

The Psalm commentary is greatly enriched by the author's scholarship, but the icing on the cake is his faith.