Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- How does your interpretation of Psalm 23 depend on whether you are Christian, Jewish, another faith, or simply as someone who loves good language and poetry? What are some of the specific points of interpretation that might be different for each of these groups?
- Does the speaker take God for granted? Everything is sunshine and roses, and there's no talk of real hardship or sacrifice. How can he be so confident that the floor will not fall out from beneath?
- Do you agree with the tradition that says that all the psalms including this one were written by David, the King of Israel? Does the question of authorship even matter at all?
- Do you think this poem was written by someone at a very happy and fruitful point in his or her life, or could it have been composed in a time of darkness and depression?
- Is this a poem of thanksgiving? The speaker never actually thanks God, but it may be implied.
- Why do you think Psalm 23 become the most famous of all the psalms? What is it that makes this poem so enduring?