Camille's Song

By Howard D. Chaney

Camille's Song, a heartfelt and captivating book, follows the journey of Camille, a young girl with a soft heart and a thirst for knowledge. One day, while exploring the attic, she stumbles upon a dusty old book—a treasured KJV of the Bible. As she brushed off the layers of dust, she marveled at its size.

With a sense of wonder, Camille opened the old Bible, and her eyes fell upon the yellowed pages containing the familiar words of Psalm 23. It seemed like destiny, considering she had been studying this very psalm. As she began to read, the beautiful imagery and comforting promises wove themselves around her heart, captivating her completely. With newfound understanding, she applies these timeless lessons to her own life, learns to navigate challenges, face fears, and find peace even in the darkest of times.

 

Camille's Song goes beyond personal growth—it's about spreading love, kindness, and compassion to others. As Camille discovers the power of gratitude and the joy of giving, she becomes a reflection of the Good Shepherd's love in her little corner of the world. Her journey of self-discovery will inspire readers to embrace their own unique stories and find comfort in the unwavering care of the Good Shepherd.

 

As you turn the pages of Camille's Song, you'll be enchanted by the magical prose and captivated by the Psalm's message of love, comfort, and hope. You'll love her escapades as Woolly, a fluffy sheep with a vibrant imagination. Camille's touching journey reminds us that, like cherished sheep under the Good Shepherd's care, we too can embrace life's joys and challenges with trust and courage.

 

The book concludes with a heartwarming call to action—a reminder that the lessons of Psalm 23 are not just for Camille, but for each one of us. As we walk through life's green pastures and face its valleys, we can find solace in the unending presence of the Good Shepherd. With His provision and protection, we can navigate life's uncertainties, knowing that goodness and mercy will follow us always.

 

And so, the dusty old book, once forgotten in the attic, spurs a young girl's journey of faith and understanding—the story of Camille's Song and the profound impact it had on one young heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Berean Press Ministries
• Release date: Oct 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223750437

Book preview

23rd Psalm-Preface

Hey there! Welcome to what I hope is a special book about the 23rd Psalm. Psalms are like songs or poems in the Bible, and they can teach us a lot about life and how to find peace and comfort.

In this book, we'll focus on one particular psalm, the 23rd Psalm. It's like a beautiful melody that brings peace to our hearts, especially when we're feeling scared, sad, and unsure about things. I truly hope you will come to understand and appreciate the words of this special psalm.

So, grab a cozy spot, flip the pages, and get ready to embark on a journey of hope, comfort, and understanding. By the end of this book, you'll have a deeper appreciation for the 23rd Psalm and its timeless message of God's love and guidance in our lives.

Remember, you're never alone on this journey and it pleases God when we study His Word. Let's start exploring the 23rd Psalm together and discover the peace and strength it can bring to our hearts.

Now, let's dive right in and explore the 23rd Psalm together! We'll break it down into smaller sections, colorful illustrations, and real-life stories so it's easier for us to grasp the meaning behind each line. Along the way, we'll discover how these awesome and ancient words can still have a big impact on our lives today, no matter how young or old we may be. The 23rd Psalm has something to offer for everyone.

23rd Psalm-Introduction

Psalm 23 is a very special and comforting part of the Bible. It is a poem that talks about God's love and His care for us, using the metaphor of a shepherd and his sheep. Camille, who is 11, loves this Psalm because it reminds her that God is always with her, guiding her and protecting her, just like a shepherd does for his sheep. It gives her comfort and sees God as her shepherd.

Throughout the Psalm, we are reminded that we can trust God to lead us through difficult times, provide for us, and protect us from harm. It is a wonderful reminder of God's unfailing love for us, and a source of comfort and strength when we need it most.

Let’s look at a quick summary of each of the six verses.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want (Psalms 23:1).

Imagine you're a sheep and God is your shepherd. Just like a shepherd takes care of his sheep, God takes care of us. He provides everything we need, so we don't have to worry or be afraid. We can trust that God will always be there for us, no matter what.

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters (Psalms 23:2).

When sheep are hungry, thirsty, or tired, the shepherd takes them to a place where they can rest and find food and water. God does the same for us. When we're tired, God gives us rest. When we're hungry, God gives us food. When we're thirsty, God gives us water. He knows exactly what we need, and He provides it for us.

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake (Psalms 23:3).

Life can be hard sometimes, and we might feel lost or confused. But God is always there to guide us in the right direction. He gives us peace and comfort when we need it, and He helps us make good choices. When we follow God's guidance, we honor Him and show others how much we love and trust Him.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalms 23:4)

Sometimes, life can be scary, and we might feel alone or afraid. But God is always with us, even in the darkest times. His love and protection give us comfort and strength. We don't have to be afraid of anything because God is with us always.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows (Psalms 23:5).

He gives us joy and abundance, even in difficult times. When we trust in God's love and provision, we can have peace and happiness, no matter what's going on around us.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever (Psalms 23:6).

God's love never ends. He will always be with us, even after death. When we trust in God and follow His guidance, we will live with Him forever in heaven. We can have hope and joy, knowing that God's love will never fail.

Bible Study

Before you begin reading the first chapter of this book, I suggest you read Psalm 23 the way you listen to your favorite soothing music. Read it with your whole being. Turn the phone off. Turn the TV off. Turn off any music and remove all distractions. Then read Psalm 23. Often rich literary works can only be truly understood when absorbed like a sponge does water splashes. It’s easier to learn the Bible by completely getting lost in it and doing it with our mind, body, emotion, and spirit. Doing so can build an intense relationship with the words of David.

Then, read it again. And again. And AGAIN! Yes, absorb the powerful and eloquent prose. Learn Psalm 23, study it, and like Colossians 3:16 says, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. The words are worthy of our attention, so let them resonate in our minds. If you do, often the words even become vibrant, increasing in intensity, and becoming more meaningful.

Here is a special truth about the Word of God, including the 23rd Psalm; immersing yourself in the poetic verses will have a unique and truly special effect on your life.

Have you ever floated down a river or stream on an innertube? A chance encounter with a whirlpool stirs up the stream’s cool depths on a hot summer’s day. We become renewed with our energy lifted to continue the day’s activities. Let the understanding of God’s comforting words give you a refreshing and comforting renewal in the hope of Christ.

The LORD is My Shepherd.

Here are the beautiful and profound words of Psalm 23 (ESV).

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

No more beautiful or comforting words exist. Yes, they are from the Holy Bible, which is a combined 66 books of comfort and encouragement. How can I single out a small portion of God’s Word and say there are no more beautiful or comforting words? Somewhat arrogant you say, but remember we are humans. Importantly, Psalm 23, reveals the comfort of God for those that live in obedience to His Word, the Bible.

Who Wrote Psalm 23?

Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known and beloved psalms in the Bible and the famous King David of Israel wrote it. As a boy, he had been a shepherd before he became Israel’s king. As an author, we tend to write about things we know something about, and David is no different. In this psalm, since he was a shepherd, David portrays God as a loving and caring shepherd who provides for and protects his sheep.

David is the youngest son of a man called Jesse. He was anointed as king of Israel as a young boy. David is chosen by God because God saw the goodness of his heart. When selecting who would be the king and passing over one of the older brothers, God said to Samuel,

Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

David was also a shepherd boy who took care of sheep for years, and it shows a depth of humility for him to use a metaphor of himself as a sheep and God as the Shepherd.

Time & Place

The exact date of David's birth is not known, but he was believed to have been born in Bethlehem around 1040 BC. David served as King of Israel from approximately 1010 BC to 970 BC, following the reign of Saul.

How long-ago was David born?

BC means before Christ was born. To show how long-ago David was born, add the current year (2023) to 1040 BC. That addition equals 3063 years ago.

Bible scholars say David reigned for 40-½ years, and he likely wrote Psalm 23 during his kingship. Many scholars believe that David composed the psalm toward the end of his kingship, because of its calm and nostalgic tone.

Purpose

Psalm 23 is a special poem that talks about how much we can trust in God. Using highly symbolic and beautifully poetic expressions, David paints a picture of a loving shepherd who takes care of his sheep to specifically show how God takes care of us. The shepherd gives the sheep everything they need to be happy and safe. The same is true for us when we trust in God.

The poem talks about how God helps us when we're tired or lost, and how He gives us peace and comfort when we're scared or sad. It also reminds us that God is always with us and will never leave us, no matter what we're going through.

Psalm 23 is a beautiful reminder that we can trust in God to take care of us and that He loves us more than we can imagine.

Contents

The 23rd Psalm is a famous and special part of the Bible that people like to read or listen to when they're feeling sad or when they're at a funeral. It's a beautiful poem that talks about how God takes care of His people, kind of like how a shepherd takes care of his sheep.

It's a poem