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Podcast Summary:

A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace — S5: Day 159: Psalm 21–25 (June 8, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Shelby and Paul (hosts with The Daily Grace Co.) focus on Psalms 21 through 25, with a deep dive into two of the most significant and beloved Psalms: Psalm 22 and Psalm 23. The hosts connect the themes of these Psalms to the New Testament and personal encouragement, highlighting their enduring relevance and meaning for believers today. The episode's main purpose is to show how these ancient songs anticipate the work of Jesus—and to encourage listeners by meditating on Psalm 23.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction and Structure

Shelby and Paul acknowledge the challenge of covering all five Psalms, choosing to spotlight Psalms 22 and 23 for their unmatched importance in the biblical narrative.
The episode aims to both explain the text and show its connection to Jesus and to listeners’ spiritual walks.

2. Psalm 22: The Lament and the Cross

(Discussion begins ~00:39)

Paul identifies Psalm 22 as one of the most famous laments and points out its unique connection to the Gospels.
- Quote (Paul, 00:43):
  "If we've read any of you have read the Gospels before, you might recognize the very beginning of Psalm 22, because it's what Jesus says as he hangs on the cross. He says, 'my God, my God, why have you abandoned me?'..."
The discussion centers around two main insights:
1. Jesus’ Use of Scripture in Suffering:
  - Even as Jesus suffers on the cross, "dying Scripture is what's on his mind." This illustrates the depth of Jesus’ relationship with God's Word.
2. The Full Movement of the Psalm:
  - When Jesus quotes the Psalm, he isn't just crying out in despair; he’s also bringing the listeners' attention to the trust and ultimate vindication promised at the end of the Psalm.
  - Quote (Paul, 01:25):
    "As we read on, we see that it follows a standard lament psalm, meaning that there's a turn towards God's good character at the very end. And so verse 24 says, for he has not despised or abhorred the torment of the oppressed..."
  - Their insight: God did hear Jesus’ cries, as proved by the resurrection.
Impact for Listeners:
- Encourages Bible readers to recognize cross-references and deeper layers when reading both Old and New Testaments.

3. Psalm 23: The Lord as Shepherd and Source of Comfort

(Discussion begins ~02:12)

Shelby hails Psalm 23 as "a very well known psalm," beloved personally and by many listeners.
Paul shares how this Psalm resonates as a source of frequent encouragement and its strong ties to worship music and Christian tradition.
- Quote (Paul, 02:47):
  "Honestly, when I read it, I hear like three or four different worship songs that quote from this playing in my mind. It's one of those psalms that I just come back to over and over when I need encouragement."
He connects David’s image of God as Shepherd to Jesus, “the good shepherd,” in the Gospels, and the promise of “bigger and better life with him.”
Paul offers a unique conclusion to the episode by reading the entirety of Psalm 23 aloud, inviting listeners to let its words "wash over you... Sit with it for a second and go on with your day."
- Quote (Paul, 03:11):
  "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters... Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On Psalm 22’s significance:
- Paul (00:45): "Even in Jesus's lowest moment of his whole life, dying Scripture is what's on his mind. And what does that tell us about him? Right. That he had the words of Scripture on his mind even as he was dying."
On the importance of reading the whole Bible:
- Paul (01:54): "...one of the great advantages of reading the Bible all the way through is that you get these connections. And so when we get to the Gospels later, we'll pick up on this and know where it came from."
On Psalm 23’s comfort:
- Paul (02:50): "It really reminds me of Jesus, who is the good shepherd in the Gospels. And it points to just that bigger and better life with him that is offered to us through relationship with him."

Timestamps for Major Segments

00:05 — Episode greetings; context for Psalms 21–25.
00:39 — Introduction to focus scriptures: Psalms 22 and 23.
00:45 – 02:12 — Deep dive into Psalm 22, its connection to Jesus, and insight on lament Psalms.
02:12 – 02:47 — Transition to Psalm 23; personal and theological reflections.
02:47 – 03:45 — Paul reads Psalm 23 aloud as a blessing and meditation for listeners.

Conclusion

The hosts guide listeners to recognize how the Psalms, especially 22 and 23, serve as bridges between the Old Testament and the Gospel story of Jesus. Through discussion and reflection, Shelby and Paul encourage their audience to let the Word shape both understanding and personal experience of God’s care. The episode concludes with an invitation to meditate on the familiar and comforting words of Psalm 23 throughout the day.

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Transcript4 lines

[00:05]
A
Hey, this is Shelby and Paul. We are in Psalms 21 through 25 today. Just a reminder, leave a review, leave a comment for those of you who are following along, we love to hear from you, love the idea that we're spending time with you every day, but we want to hear back from you, you know, so leave that for us, Paul, today. Psalms 21 through 25, we're gonna get there. But we have a really, maybe one of the most well known Psal psalms that is in today's reading. So we're very excited to get to that. But before we get there, I know we want to talk about another Psalm first.
[00:40]
B
Yes, that's right. Yeah. So we have two of the most famous psalms in the whole Psalter in today's reading, and I wish we could talk about all five Psalms, but we'll focus on these two. So there's Psalm 22 and Psalm 23. And if we've read any of you have read the Gospels before, you might recognize the very beginning of Psalm 22, because it's what Jesus says as he hangs on the cross. He says, my God, my God, why have you abandoned me? And some translations say, why have you forsaken me? So there's a few things to talk about there with the connection between this and the Gospel. So first of all, it's notable that even in Jesus's lowest moment of his whole life, dying Scripture is what's on his mind. And what does that tell us about him? Right. That he had the words of Scripture on his mind even as he was dying. And second, when Jesus says this, this first line, he's really invoking the whole movement of the psalm. It wouldn't have just been this one line on his mind. He would have been thinking about where the psalm ends up as well. And as we read on, we see that it follows a standard lament psalm, meaning that there's a turn towards God's good character at the very end. And so verse 24 says, for he has not despised or abhorred the torment of the oppressed. He did not hide his face from him, but listened when he cried to him for help. And so we know that God did in fact hear Jesus's cries because three days later he rose from the grave. Right. And so this is, again, one of the great advantages of reading the Bible all the way through is that you get these connections. And so when we get to the Gospels later, we'll pick up on this and know where it came from.
[02:13]
A
Yeah, that's great. And I think that's that might not. I hope people picked up on that. But if you didn't pick up that Psalm 22, those are the kind of things that we love showing you. We reference that that many of the Psalms are quoted in the New Testament as well. And this one quoted by Jesus, which is so cool. Okay, so let's turn our eyes to Psalm 23, which is a very well known psalm. It begins with the Lord is my shepherd. Super beloved psalm by myself and many others. Paul, what do you want to show us or tell us about Psalm 23?
[02:47]
B
Yeah, like you said, it's one of the most well known passages probably in the whole Bible, not just in the Psalms. And honestly, when I read it, I hear like three or four different worship songs that quote from this playing in my mind. It's one of those psalms that I just come back to over and over when I need encouragement. And it really reminds me of Jesus, who is the good shepherd in the Gospels. And it points to just that bigger and better life with him that is offered to us through relationship with him. And today I just want to end today's episode actually in a bit of a unique way just by reading this psalm over you. Kind of similar what we did yesterday, but to finish the episode with it so that as you hear these words, just let them wash over you. Sit with it for a second and go on with your day. So I'm going to read the psalm now. 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.