The Song of Our Syrian Guest: Meditations on the Shepherd Psalm

By William Allen Knight, Charles Copeland, Pilgrim Press

Book Overview

This commentary upon the famous Shepherd Psalm is narrated by a sheep herder who lived in Syria; in describing caring for the animals, he reveals the full significance of the Biblical verse.

Published in 1904 at a time when Syria was still an agrarian society, this work juxtaposes Bible study of a legendary verse with the everyday life of a shepherd. Telling his story of tending the fields and observing the rhythms of nature, the narrator deftly weaves parallels to the scriptural verse, in a celebration of the beauty and wonder of the natural world - God's creation.

Old Syrian cultural allusions, such as the reference to the 'valley of death', are explained in their context. The practice of tending to the sheep; keeping them warm, fed, and hydrated, and protecting them from wolves - all are discussed both practically and spiritually. Thus we grasp how salient allusions to shepherding were to those living in the era the Bible appeared.

Although the narration is quite short, it is a vivid and worthy read. So readers may visualize what is said, several illustrations are included within the text.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1789875188
• ISBN13: 9781789875188
• Release Date: January 1904
• Publisher: Pantianos Classics
• Length: 38 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great book

This is a great book. Sadly it is out of print, so this is a reproduction. But the content is important enough to overlook that little detail. A historic look at the meanings of the 23rd Psalm.

The Song of our Syrian Guest

The publication noted 1904, 1905, 1906, and 1911, by The Pilgrim Press, Boston, is by far the best publication. Not only are the main title and the verses of the 23rd Psalm within the book in a beautiful red script, but especially interesting "Author's Notes," beautifully giving more information begins on Page 43 and continues through Page 59. The 1904 book does not include this.

The Song of Our Syrian Guest

This dear book gives a carefully thoughtout and inspired interpretation of the Twenty Third Psalm in the context of the shepherds who lived among the Syrian hills over 2000 years ago. The beloved Psalm comes alive anew as one understands the words as they applied to life then and even now. The spiritual meaning of the passage is explained and a wonderful sense of the Father's care for each of us is unfolded. This is a very worthwhile book for any sincere student of the spiritual meaning of the Bible.