A Sheep's Sacrificial Love: A New Orientation in Psalm 23

In exploring Psalm 23's imagery of a sheep's relationship with its shepherd, a deeper layer emerges where the sheep's sacrificial role unveils a profound understanding of sacrificial love. The scene unfolds within the context of a temple sacrifice, where the sheep faces its foes at an altar as an offering. Amidst an abundance of imagery, including overflowing cups and anointing, the sacrificial act becomes an extension of God's bountiful love and redemption. This transcendent view blurs the lines between the sacrificial act and God's abundant provision, portraying a continuum of life and sacrifice within the divine.