Psalm 23, a psalm of consolation, is one of the most familiar psalms. We turn to consolation psalms for comfort and support when tragedy enters our lives. 

I felt this collection of Psalm Paintings would not be complete without an attempt to illuminate this Great Psalm. While the words and the poetry work very well, as its popularity shows, a graphic illustration is difficult. 

The Psalm opens with the statement:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
He guideth me in straight paths for His name's sake.

The metaphor is of a caring shepherd, tending a flock of sheep, seeing
to the material  needs of food and water, and seeing to the spiritual needs of the soul. This is a difficult concept for a Jewish artist, as God is not to be portrayed as an image of any kind. 

On the right side of the painting are the green pastures and still waters. On the left, the darker part of the Psalm is shown.

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, 
For Thou art with me.

The valley of the shadow of death, how do we picture it?  I painted a valley with the rocks looking like skulls, a frightening place. The Psalmist is standing before it comforted by the image of the shepherd. Does it work? The vision is not as comforting as the words. 

The Psalm continues:

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies

On the left, there is a table with bread and wine, surrounded by shadowy
figures of armed men. There are Romans, Assyrians, terrorists and other
historic enemies of the Jews. An owl, a bird of the night, flies overhead.

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