Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-11-13
The SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
November Is.
Subject: Dsyld's Trust Ia God, Psalm 10
Golden Text, Pisa. %, Memory Verses.
l.&-Commeu.ary on Days Lesson.

I. The Shepherd and HIS sheep VS. l-fJ.
!. "My Shepherd. Christ is the great
Shepherd and His followers are the sheep
As 3, shepherd, l. Christ leads the she eld
keeps them. 4. Supports them in times OF
trouble. Jehovah is often spoken OF as the
Shepherd of Israel, and Israel as His flock.
The title of shepherd is also applied to
rulers, and in particular to David. Christ
applies the title to Himself John 10: /;
compare Heb. Is: 20; Pet. 2: 25). To APP
preciate the force of the image it is neces'
sary to understand the difference between
the modern shepherd and the Oriental
shepherd of olden times. In that land
there IS a strong attachment between the
shepherd and his flock Equally tender re.
lations exist between the good Shepherd
and His flock. On the other hand there ls
an unfathomable affection, and on the
other a calm, unlimited confidence. "Shali
not want" The language is partly of ex'
perience in the present and partly of con.
fidence for the future. So Of Israel, look
ing back on the wandering in the wilder
ness they had lacked nothing (Deut. 2: y,
and looking forward to the promised land
nothing (Deut. 8: 81. With Jehovah for
my shepherd and guardian, whose hand
rests on all the sources of supply, | can
lack no temporal or spiritual good. When
John Fletcher was asked by George LII. il
he would accept preferment in the church
as an acknowledgment for an able and
timely paper he had written on American
affairs, he returned the respectful but char
acteristic reply, "Sire. l want nothing but
more grace"
2. "To lie down." The divine Shepherd
filled with unrest lisa. 81: 90, 2U, but
Christ promises soul rest to those who
come to Him Matt. II: $500. Green
pastures" Pastures of budding or tender
grass The original word denotes the ten,
der shoots (Deut. 80: . as distinguished
from the ripe grass, which is expressed by
another word. Hence, this grass afforded
delicious and luxuriant pasture. From tins
we see that soul satisfaction is promised
the one who follows the divine guide lisa;
So: ~. "IIe leadeth me-" The Oriental
shepherd never drives his flock as we do,
but goes before them. Jesus never asks
us to go where He does not go, or to do or
to suffer anything He has not done or suf-
fered. He is the perfect example. His
going before means ever better things.
"Still waters" Literally, waters of rest;
not gently flowing streams, but streams
where rest and refreshment may be found
lisa. 80: 49,. But others think it has RET
erence to the Quietness OF the waters. In
either case the figure is most beautiful and
suggests the quiet and peacefuness with
which the soul is filled when 1t enters into
communion with God
3. "Restoreth my soul" He bringeth
back my soul, as sheep that had strayed
Matt. lS Il, 10; Pet. q 25). The word
for "restoreth" means Ito return" bring
back" or, fguratively, convert. VI all
animals the sheep is least able to defend it.
self, either by resistance or fight; is most
given to wander away, and has the least
sagacity in finding it's way back to the fold
paths OF righteousness: Right paths are
opposed to intricate and unsafe ways, and
(Psa. 1875: 81. For His names sake" 10
display the glory of His grace, and not on
account Of any merit in me:
4. Shadow of death" Being so near, to
death that its shadow falls over him, for
he is not far from the substance that has
come up with the shadow. The valley of
the shadow of death" seems to have been
suggested by those deep mountain gorges
through which David was sometimes
obliged to lead his Aocks, though az the
hazard of death from the wild beasts:
When the walks of duty lie in the midst OF
dangers which fall around like shadows,
then, says the psalmist, | will fear no evil.
Such confidence has he in. his Shepherd.
"Fear no evil" The soul fears not to en-
ter the sunless CULTS of sorrow. when as
sured of the supporting presence and pro-
tecting care of the good Shepherd. The
darkness of death is but q shadow, after
all. The trusting soul enters. the gloomy
gorge only to emerge into the brighter day
of Immortality The Christian knows that
the hand which guides us into the dark
valley will guide up through it and up out
of it. Rod and-statf." The, enblems OF
the office of the shepherd and his protec-
ton Of the sheep The rod and staff seem
to he two names for one instrument, which
was used to drive away wild animals, to
direct the sheep, and for the purpose of
staff on which to lean. The shepherd
walked before his flock, ready to protect
them from assault, and they followed
gladly and fearlessly wherever he led,
II. The Host and His guest Tvs. 8, 81. 8.
"Preparest table,. The figure is,changed.
Jehovah is now described as the host who
bountifully entertains the psalmlst at HIS
table, and provides him lodging III Hls
own house, as Oriental monarchs enter
tanned those to whom they wished to show
special favor. Although the image IS
changed, yet we have substantially the
same ideas as those given Ill the earlier
norton OF the psalm. mime enemies Je::
bovah had prepared this banquet for David
as mark of special honor and favor, and
this in the presence or his enemies, VINO
looked on, but were not invited to partake.
This was David's answer to those who III
his affection had said, There Is no help
| for him in God" Good hath forsaken him"
''Anointest" The reference is to the an
| ointings which were the regular accom-
paniment of an Oriental banquet not to
| the kingly amounting for which different
word is used Amounting with oil was an
emblem Of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Cup runneth over" The overlooking cup
suggests a fulness of blessing. Jehovah is
a bountiful provider and is able to abund'
AMY 6. @SSS surrey" Comfy" Il. v, margin:
Nothing but goodness and mercy shall
pursue me. What contrast to the lot OF
the wicked man, pursued by the angel of
Judgment Qsa. So: g. hunted by calam-
ity" (l4O IL. Goodness and mercy"
Goodness and mercy are the staple viands
of the feast, and give flavor and virtue to
all the rest. Man needs goodness to sup.
ply all his WAITS and mercy to cancel all
his sins "Will dwell These words are
to be understood iguratively. The psalm
list expected to dwell in Gods immediate
presence forever. Forever Here is a
suggestion of the closest intimacy with
God and the ceaseless enjoyment OF His IA
vor.
The Hen.
Tbic comn can hn uiayeQ by any