JORAS - Nigerian Journal of Religion and Society

This article examines the shepherd motif in Psalm 23 from an African perspective. The popular opinion over the years has been misunderstood, misinterpreted and subjected to criticisms in recent times due to the varying degrees of methodology ranging from Harmman Gunkel who handles form criticism and Mowinckel S tradition criticism from the western world. These methods were used to interpret many of the biblical passages and shepherd motif without closely examining the contribution of the African perspective which is similar to the ancient Near East world view. The objectives of the study are to provide an adequate translation and interpretation that will correct the misunderstanding and misconception of the shepherd motif in Psalm 23 from the African perspective and to establish that ro'eh (shepherd) was a key term in Psalm 23 and this metaphor is seen from the beginning of the first verse to the very end of the last verse. Using contextualization and inculturation hermeneutics blended with adequate use of exegetical and theological methods, the meaning of shepherd motif in Psalm 23 was established which gives meaning to the shepherd motif in the Old Testament and in particular Psalm 23 from an African Perspective. It was discovered that an untiring desire for care serves as the basis for interpreting, understanding and correcting shepherd motif in the Old Testament (OT) and in particular Psalm 23. This novel discovery was informative, educative and transformative. It therefore recommends that shepherd motif which exemplifies shepherd-sheep relationship in Psalm 23 from an African perspective, would serve as a paradigm for leadership in the church and society in Africa.

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