The Secret of the Twenty-third Psalm [Pamphlet]

In this two-part essay, the author uses two beloved Psalms to unlock the mystery and meaning of true prayer. Using the Smith translation of Psalm 19, Goldsmith points to the truth that for prayer to be effective, an individual must come into an understanding that “Prayer has nothing to do with anything we voice … whether in the form of a petition, affirmation, denial or any other form of speech or thought. Rather, prayer is that which we become aware of in the silence … the word of God uttering Itself within our consciousness.” From Psalm 19: “Day unto day pours forth speech…. Night unto night declares knowledge. There is no speech nor are there words … their voice is not heard, yet their voice goes forth through all the earth and their words … to the ends of the world.”

Part two of the essay is called, “Practical interpretation of the Twenty-third Psalm.” In this message, which came through inspiration, Goldsmith writes, “Here is a form of prayer that harmonizes most beautifully with the message of The Infinite Way and its idea of prayer.” He goes through the Psalm—”the Lord is my shepherd”—verse by verse and brings each into the light of new understanding. This volume provides much more than instruction and guidance about prayer.  The final pages express the poetic reality of life lived in communion with the Divine:  “As a weary wanderer, I have sought Thee and now my weariness is gone. Thy Spirit has formed a tent for me, and in its cool shade I linger. Peace fills my soul. Thy Presence has filled me with peace. Thy love has placed before me a Feast of Spirit. Yes, Thy Spirit is my resting place, an oasis in the desert of the letter of Truth.”

[Note: This pamphlet is also Chapter 11 of Collected Essays of Joel S. Goldsmith.]