The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-14
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
Psalm xxiii-NOvember 10, 1903.
Dayid's Trust I'm God.

There are some psalms which set forth the
general providence of God. This is not one Of
them. This is the psalm OF special providence.
Only those who are in covenant relations with
God have a right to this Hebrew hymn.
Jesus is the Shepherd. His blood has consti-
tuted the flock. The Good Shepherd giveth His
life for the sheep. He who believes in the Shep-
herd and His vicarious sacrifice. who hears His
call and obeys. to such a one the psalm belongs.
In Eastern lands the comfort and safety of
the sheep depend largely upon the shepherd. his
Judgment. courage, 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 off the robbers
human and brute. How perfectly docs Jesus
meet the requirements of a true Shepherd in the
infniteness of His wisdom. love and power!
But the shepherds offices are not all AMI
always those of gentleness. The rarelcssness
and willfulness of the sheep must often be re-
buked. One feels the sudden and violent wrench
of the crook drawing 1t back from danger. An
other feels the correcting rod striking it to
earth. David had got out 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 laden. There recline the guests.
while servants anoint them with fragrant oil
and fill their cups to the brim. 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 apaTpieS of the guests NAV come I'm and
witness the preferment of those whom, de-
Tended by their royal host, they cannot harm.
So, often, Poverty and Pain stand aside. glar-
ing impotentnly at a child OF God reclining at
His royal banquet table. Then. too. a child of
ROYALTY must have attendants. So Goodness and
Mercy follow his steps.
One supreme experience. one crucial test re-
mains-deathl Ar eminent Frenchman exclaims:
Neither the sun nor death can be looked az
steadily But this psalm of the soul has its
note of cheer even for the hour and article of
death: YEA, though 1 walk through the valley
of the shadow, I shall fear no evil" II 1 see
not my Shepherd I at least see His sign-his rod
and staff. And / am comforted. Jesus has gone
this way before me: 1 need not fear to follow.
He knows what it is to lie in the grave; and,
since Jesus hath lain there, 1 dread nor it's
gloom. Thanks be to God which giveth us the
victory!
But do not think this psalm Is to close with
even the triumphant strain OF victory over
death. It reaches one higher note. 1t over
leaps the chasm and fairly joins the invisible
choir. IT will dwell in the house OF the Lord
forever"
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
The full meaning Of this psalm can hardly
be obtained without some acquaintance, direct
or indirect, with Oriental life. For example, the
pasture of the East is unlike the pasture with
which we are familiar. IL is fenceless. 1t is
necessarily large. So much barren land inter-
yenes. Ravenous beasts. robbers and storms
are common. The Importance OF the shepherd
is enhanced by these circumstances. A flock
without a shepherd would be an anomaly in
the Orient.
This is q particular. not a general didactic
song. II Is personal. My Shepherd. L not
want. He plaketh me. Leadeth me. My soul.
Leadeth me. 1 walk. I will. With me. Com
fort me. Before me-. Mine enemies. Ny head.
Ny cup. Follow me. My life. 1 will dwell.
An ideal life is here pictured. Intervals OF re-
nose for recuperatlon and devotion Qie down in
green pastures). succeeded by periods OF activity
Oed in paths OF righteousness); assurance in the
evil in the valley Of the shadow: divine sus-
tenance "a table prepared. head anosnted. cup
overfowing)
I once saw q prince OF a royal house at rla=