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Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: St. John's Episcopal Church

Studio Name: Willet Hauser Architectural Glass

City: Royal Oak

Window Shape: 2 (rectangle)

Subject/Title of Window: David the Psalmist-23rd Psalm

Brief Description of Subject: This window is located in the corridor leading from the narthex, and includes all of the words of Psalm 23 as written in the King James Version of the Bible. Some of the verses are accompanied with illustrations.

The top section pictures the shepherd boy David playing a lyre. The inscription identifies him as "David the Psalmist." The music score in the background references that the word "psalm" is synonymous with the word "Hymn."

At the bottom of the scene below, on the left is a small picture of King David playing a lyre, and a banner with the inscription "XXIII Psalm of David" --- identifying the Psalm's number in Roman numerals and the superscript for this Psalm. On the right, is a small picture of David, pictured kneeling on a prie-dieu.

Psalm 23:
V1. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
Illustrated with Christ as the Good Shepherd in heaven (clouds) and carrying a staff. The five pointed star in the crook of the staff is a symbol for Jesus as "the Word made flesh," (John 1:14) --- 5 pointed star can be viewed as a human, 2 legs, 2 arms, and a head.
V2. "He maketh me lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me besides the still waters."
Illustrated (to the right of the Lord) with lambs lying down on a green pasture beside water.
V3. "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
V4. "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me."
Illustrated with David, pictured as a traveler,being directed by the Good Shepherd through an area with a man being killed with a sword, a cemetery and monsters at David's feet. The Good Shepherd is carrying a staff that comforts David.
V5. "Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over."
Illustrated with fruit, a jug, a chalice and a gourd. To the right is fruit being eaten by insects. David as a shepherd, is pictured with laurel branches above his head --- While David was still a shepherd, God became displeased with King Saul and sent the prophet Samuel to anoint David as the man who, in the future, would replace Saul as King, 1Samuel 16:1. The laurel branches, symbolizing glory, reflect that God has anointed David to become the next King of Israel.
V6. "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

The predella contains the memorial inscription.

Inscriptions: David the Psalmist
To the glory of God and in loving memory
1925 Jean Carol Bozell 1946
The gift of her parents


Condition of Window: Good

Height: 81"

Width: 16.25"

Type of Glass and Technique: Lead Came

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