The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-11-12

There are some psalms which set
forth the general providence of God
This is the psalm ofspecial providence
Only those who are in covenant rela-
tions with God have a right to this
Hebrew hymn.
Jesus is the Shepherd His blood
constituted the flock The Good
Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
He who believes in the Shepherd and
his vicarious sacrifice. who hears his
call and obeys, to such an one the
psalm belongs.
In Eastern lands the comfort and
safety of the sheep depended largely
upon the shepherd, his judgment,
couragement, love. He must know
where to find pasture, and how to
conduct his flock safely from one to
another; how to keep away from the
mountain torrents, but lead to the
still and safe waters. He must have
courage to meet and strength to drive
Oii bilC iODOCiC anu
How perfectly does Jesus meet the
requirements of true Shepherd in
the infiniteness of his wisdom, love,
and power
But the Shepherds offices are not
all and always those of gentleness.
The carelessness and willfulness of
the sheep must often be rebuked.
One feels the sudden and violent
wrench of the crook drawing it back
from danger. Another feels the cor
recting rod striking it to earth. David
had gotten ut of the right path more
than once, and afar; but he blesses the
Shepherd who had restored his soul. ."
The fifth verse witnesses a change
of figure from an outdoor TO an indoor
scene, from animal to human life. Yet
radical as the change is, it is scarcely
noticed by the reader-the one part
glides so imperceptibly into the other
1t is no longer the pasture, but the
royal banquet-room The table is la
den. There recline the guests, while
servants anoint them with fragrant
oil, and fill their cups to the byim.
In the Orient yet the banquet-room is
open to the public; and whoever will,
may enter, and, standing against the
wall, may witness the goodly scene.
The very enemies of the guests may
come in and witness the preferment
OF those whom, defend by their royal
host, they can not harm. So, often,
Poverty and Pain stand aside glaring
lmpotentlv at child of God reclining
at his royal banquet-room. Then too,
a child of royalty must have attend
ants. So Goodness and Mercy follow
his steps.
One supreme experience, one crucial
test remains-death. An eminent
Frenchman, ,exclaims: Neither the
sun nor death can be looked at stead
ily.' But this psalm of the soul has
its note of cheer even for the hour and
and article of death, Yea, thought
| walk through the valley of the shad-
ow, shall fear no evil If see not
my Shepherd, l at least see his sign
his rod and staff. And | am comfort
ed. He knows what it is to lie in the
grave; and since Jesus hath lain there,
| dread not its gloom. Thanks be to
God which giveth us the victory!
Bnt do not think this psalm is to
close with even the triumphant strain
of victory over death. 1t reaches one
higher note. 1t overleaps the chasm,
and fairly joins the invisible choir.
II will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever"
The Teachers Lantern
The full meaning of this psalm can
hardly be obtained without some &C
quaintance, direct or indirect, with
Oriental life. For example, the pas
ture of the East is unlike the pasture
with which we are familiar. 1t is
fenceless. 1t is necessarily large. So
much barren had intervenes. Raven
Gus beasts, robbers, and storms are
common. The Importance of the
shepherd is enhanced bythese circum-
stances. A flock without shepherd
would be an anomaly in the Orient.
This is a particular, not general
didactic song. 1t is personal. My
Shepherd. l not want. He maketh
me. Leadeth me. Ny soul: Leadeth
me. walk. will. With me. Com
fort me. Before me. Mine enemies.
My head. My cup. Follow me. My
life. | dwell.
An ideal life is here pictured In
tervals of repose for recuperation and
devotion (lie down in green pastures),
succeeded by periods of activity lied
in the paths of righteous; assurance
in the ultimate test of life and charac-
ter(fear no evil in the valley of the
shadow; Divine substenance Ia table
prepared; head anointed, cup over
flowing.
l once saw a prince of royal house
at play in the palace garden. Near
by stood his officers, always alert for