Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46: Lesson 102

Psalm 23

“The Lord Is My Shepherd”

Pausing to visualize descriptions and comparisons in scripture passages can bring beauty and power to the words we read. In Psalm 23, King David described his relationship with Jesus Christ through a series of images that depict the Savior’s love and care. This lesson can help students feel the tender, loving character of Christ through visualizing scriptural images.

Student preparation: Invite students to ponder how things they see every day remind them of the Savior. For example, “Rain reminds me of the Savior because …”. Then invite them to read Psalm 23 and choose a favorite comparison that David made to the Savior or to what the Savior does for us.

Possible Learning Activities

Visualizing scriptural imagery

To help students practice learning from scriptural imagery, consider beginning class by displaying a picture of someone mourning and someone dancing. Then, ask your students what thoughts or feelings come to mind when they think of mourning. Students might share things like tears, losing someone, pain, or sadness. Repeat the same question for dancing.

Read Psalm 30:11, looking for how David used the images of mourning and dancing to describe the power of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

• How do these pictures help you understand what David was taught about Jesus Christ when he said, “Thou has turned for me my mourning into dancing”?

Explain to students that using these pictures to better understand verse 11 is an example of the study skill visualizing. Consider inviting a student to read the following description of this study skill.

Visualizing is a study skill that creates a mental picture from descriptive details in the scriptures. We can imagine being present at events described in the scriptures. We can pause and picture phrases like “Thou has turned for me my mourning into dancing” (Psalm 30:11). The next step is pondering what we can learn from the images. Doing so can invite the Holy Ghost as we slow down and seek to understand with our mind and heart.

Reflect on the following questions.

• How often do you slow down to visualize what you are studying in the scriptures?

• How do you think slowing down to visualize what you read can help you come to know the Savior better?

Pay attention to the promptings of the Holy Ghost to help you learn about Jesus Christ as you visualize the descriptions in Psalm 23 today.

“The Lord is my Shepherd”

This section of the lesson gives students an opportunity to practice visualizing together as a class before trying it on their own.

Read Psalm 23:1 and mark the image used to describe Jesus Christ.

To help students learn more about the Savior, you might invite them to visualize Him as our Shepherd while they read Ezekiel 34:11–16 or John 10:11–15, or as the class sings “Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd” (Hymns, no. 221). They may also want to cross-reference or link those passages to Psalm 23:1.

Take a minute to try to imagine or visualize a shepherd taking care of or protecting their sheep.

Then write down a statement about Jesus Christ that you learn from visualizing Him as your Shepherd.

Consider displaying on the board a picture of Jesus Christ depicted as a shepherd like the one at the beginning of this lesson. Invite a few students to write their statements of truth about Him on the board around the picture. Students might share statements like: The Lord cares about my needs.

• How has Jesus Christ been a shepherd in your life or in the lives of those around you?

Coming to know Jesus Christ

Consider giving students a chance to come to know the Savior better by practicing visualization on their own or in small groups. The following activity is one way to do this. Before students begin, give each student a blank sheet of paper. You may also want to provide colored pencils or markers that students could use to draw pictures.

1. Study Psalm 23:2–6. Then choose one verse that stands out to you to focus on for the remainder of this activity.

2. Visualize the imagery King David used in your verse to describe a characteristic of Jesus Christ or something He does for us. Draw a picture of what you’re visualizing or find a digital image that could represent what you picture in your mind.

3. Write at least one statement of truth on your paper about the Savior that you learn from visualizing David’s description.

4. Personalize what you learned by pondering (or discussing with your group) why it matters to you or how it can strengthen your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

As students work, consider walking around the room to learn from them and help those who may need it. If students struggle to visualize the image, you could ask questions like “What does it feel like to be beside still water?” or “What do you think His rod and staff might represent?” Additionally, complimenting students’ drawings or insights can be a great way to encourage them and strengthen your relationships with them.

Students might write statements of truth about the Savior such as: The Lord restores weary and broken souls (verse 3) or The Lord will nourish us, even during difficult situations (verse 5).

After students complete the activity, invite them to share what they learned about Jesus Christ. To do this, they could display their pictures around the room, share what they learned with other students or other groups, or add what they learned to the board. Consider asking questions like the following after students have shared.

• Is there anything you learned about Jesus Christ that you might have missed if you hadn’t slowed down to visualize the imagery in Psalm 23? If so, what?

• Which of these images help you see the tender, loving character of Jesus Christ the most? Why?

You might end by encouraging students to use visualization in their scripture study to continue to come to know the Savior better. Consider sharing your testimony of the truths about Jesus Christ taught in Psalm 23.

Additional Resources

What does seeing Jesus Christ as a shepherd teach me about how to serve others (Psalm 23:1)?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

The Good Shepherd lovingly cares for all sheep of His fold, and we are His true undershepherds. Our privilege is to bear His love and to add our own love to friends and neighbors—feeding, tending, and nurturing them—as the Savior would have us do. (“Shepherds, Lambs, and Home Teachers,” Ensign, Aug. 1994, 19)

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

Brothers and sisters, our Good Shepherd calls us in His voice and in His name. He seeks, gathers, and comes to His people. Through His living prophet and each of us, He invites all to find peace, purpose, healing, and joy in the fulness of His restored gospel and on His covenant path. By example, He teaches the shepherds of Israel to minister in His love. (“Good Shepherd, Lamb of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 100)

What might it mean for the Savior to restore my soul (Psalm 23:3)?

Sister Cristina B. Franco, then second counselor in the Primary General Presidency, said:

[A]s we come unto Jesus Christ by exercising faith in Him, repenting, and making and keeping covenants, our brokenness—whatever its cause—can be healed. This process, which invites the Savior’s healing power into our lives, does not just restore us to what we were before but makes us better than we ever were. I know that through our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can all be mended, made whole, and fulfill our purpose. (“The Healing Power of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 61)

What can we learn from the shepherd’s use of the rod and staff (Psalm 23:4)?

President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

In ancient days the only instruments a shepherd carried were a rod and a staff. The rod was a short, stout, club-like weapon used to defend oneself or the flock from an intruder. It was meant to be—and to convey—strength and power in the hand of a strong shepherd who knew how to use it. …

The staff was a longer, lighter piece, usually with a hook (or crook) on the end used for rescuing a stranded sheep. It, more than the rod, is associated in both art and myth with the shepherd and his vigilant watchcare. … Everything about the staff speaks of safety and care. It is the great scriptural instrument of rescue and redemption.

In life we need defending and we need rescue. One way or the other, we are vulnerable. Whether it be in threatening confrontations or routine wandering, we are blessed and protected by God’s vigilant care. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (For Times of Trouble: Spiritual Solace from the Psalms [2012], 217–18)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Alternative beginning

If you think your students would connect better with visualizing different images than those of mourning and dancing from Psalm 30:11, you can do the same activity using different scripture passages and images of the Savior. Pick an image you think will best connect with students. Here are a few ideas from verses in the Psalms:

• “The Lord is my light” (Psalm 27:1)

• “Thou art my hiding place” (Psalm 32:7)

• “He only is my rock” (Psalm 62:2)

• “For the Lord God is a sun and shield” (Psalm 84:11)

Studying the scriptures with someone else in mind

Instead of using visualization, you could invite students to study Psalm 23:1–6 while thinking about someone they know who is experiencing something difficult in their life. After studying, students could share something they learned about the Savior by writing an encouraging text or a note to this person.

Alternatively, you could provide students with three or four relevant scenarios, such as someone who doesn’t feel that God loves them or who is afraid of uncertainty in their future. Invite students to study Psalm 23:1–6 with the person in the scenario in mind. Students could share with one another what they found that could help the person in the scenario.

Using music

To invite the Spirit through sacred music, consider inviting students to read the lyrics of the hymn “The Lord Is My Shepherd.” You might discuss how the hymn helps them understand Psalm 23:1–6 better. Then, consider showing this arrangement of “The Lord Is My Shepherd” (4:54) from the Church’s Music Festival in 2021. Afterwards, leave space for students to share their feelings for and testimonies of the Savior.