Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-11-12
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
November Is.
Subject: Davld's Trust In God, Psalm 23-
Golden Text, Pisa. %, Memory Verses.
I.6-Commentary on Days Lesson.

1. The Shepherd and His sheep Tvs. LAY
l. "My Shepherd" Christ is the great
Shepherd and His followers are the sheep
AS shepherd, l. Christ leads the sheep;
2. Supplies every lack. 3. Guards and
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 ia
applies the title to Himself (John 10: l;
compare Heb. 10: 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 Orienta!!
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 th-re is
other calm, unlimited confidence; Shall
not want" The language is partly OF eN'
perience in the present and partly of con
fdence 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
the promise was that they would lack
nothing Dcut. s: %. With Jehovah for
my shepherd and guardian, whose hand
lack no temporal or spiritual good. When
John Fletcher was asked by George ! II. i
he would accept preferment i'll the church
as an Acknowledgement for an able and
timely paper he had written on American
affairs, he returned the respectful but char
acteristic reply, "sirc, | want nothing but
more grace
2. ITO lie down" The divine Shepherd
gives rest to the weary. The wicked are
III 4 II htt
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 tcn.
der shoots (Deut. 80: q as distinguish he'd
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:
shepherd never drives his flock as we do,
but goes before them. Jesus never asks
lis to 60 where He does not go, or to do or
to suffer anything He has not done or sui.
fered He is the perfect example. His
going before means ever better things.
"Stll waters" Literally, waters of rest;
not gently flowing streams but streams
where rest and refreshment may be found
lisa. 80: lS) 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 peaccfuness with
which the soul is filled when it enters into
communion with God
g. "Restoreth my SOUL H. bringcth
back nv soul. as sheep that had straycd
Matt. Is: II, 10; Pet. .: 25). The word
for "restoreth" means ito return bring
back" or, iiguratiyey, convert. Or all
animals the sheep is least able 10 defend 1t
self, either by resistance or flight; IS most
given to wander away, and has the least
sagacity in finding its way hocl; to the fold.
Paths of Righteousness" Right paths are
opposed to intricate and unsafe way, and
to ways of disobcdicnce and pcrvcrsity
(Psa. l25: 81. For His names sake. 10
display the glory of His grace, and not on
account of any merit in me.
a. SHADOW OF DEATH Being so near to
death that its shadow falls over him, for
he is not far from thu, substance thnt mas
come up with the shadow. The VALLEY OF
the shadow OF death seems to have been
suggested by those deep mountain gorScs
through which David was sometimes
obliged to lead his focks, though at the
hazard of death from tie 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.
rear no evil. nc soul iSdId hot ~ va
ter the sunless CULTS of SORROW when as
sured of the supporting presence and pro-
tecting care of the good Shepherd. he
darkness of death is but a 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 " into The dark
valley will guide up through 1t and up out
of it. Rod and-ssatf.' The Cmb.cms Of
the office of the shepherd and his protcc-
ton of the sheep The rod and staff seem
to be two names fer one instrument. which
was used to drive away wild animals, 70
direct the sheep, and for the purpose OF a
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.
H. The Host and His guest Tvs, 5, e.. s.
"Preparest table The figure is changed
Jehovah is now described as the host who
bountifully cntertains the pSalmist at HIS
table. and provides him lodging in His
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 in the carrier
portion of the psalm. mine enemies Je.
hovah had prepared this banquet Tor DAVID
as a mark OF special honor and favor, and
TINS III lne presence bI MS titlhi'S, VIM
looked on, but were not invited to partake.
This was Davids answer to those who III
his affection had said, There is no help
for him in God" God hath forsaken him. !"
"Anontcst" 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. Ano intinr with oil was an
emblem of the baptism OF the Holy Spirit.
"Cup runneth over" The overlooking cup
suggests fulness of Blessing. Jehovah IS
bountifull provider and is able to abund-
6. "Surelly." "Only." r. v, margin.
"Nothing but goodness and mercy shall
pursue me. What a contrast to the lot of
the wicked man, pursued by the angel OF
judgment (Psa. So: g., hunted by calam.
ity" Gao: ~. Goodness and mercy
Goodness and mercy are the staple viands
of the feast, and give IA favor and virtue to
all the rest. Man needs goodness to sup.
ply all his wants and mercy to cancel all
his sins. "Will dwell" These words arc
to be understood fgurativey. The psalm
ist 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
yoy.