The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-11-13

there are many illusions that correspond
with the facts of his history. espec.a ~
with the recollections OF his early lie,
when he tended his fathers flocks II Is
wholly uncertain on what occasion the
psalm was written. as there are IN ~ no
indications of time and no illusions 10
any circumstances In the career or the
author. Whether 1t was produced In
time of prosperity or auversity. whether
under persecution or triumph no one
can affirm. But In all the countries this
brief hymn has been highly priced by
aevout souls even above any other piece
of literature of equal length In any la :.
guage, unless II may be TIE beatttuces OF
our Lord. It portrays in exquisite style
the watchful care of God cad the consr.
quent assurance which they feel VINO put
their trust In Him. The language and tie
thought have been Justly priced az gu Cd
to each other. tho outward breathing OF
the righteous
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES IL 1t Is well known
that In oriental countries the shepherd
was tcndcrly watchful over his flock bJth
BY day and BY niGnt. No parent was
more solicitous for his children than was
he for the sheep. John KID Jesus re-
ferred to this In his teaching and MADE II
the basis OF many comforting truths tor
his disciples. All the love of maii's
heart was drawn out townrd the TIM q
and innocent creatures who were. COM
mitted to his keeping. and who feared no
thing when in his presence David, whn
had been shepherd and had all these OK,
periences, could find no more approp IL to
term to apply to the Lord, than to call
nm shepherd. The idea contained IN the
word ls that OF care. protection and
guidance particular attention to IN"
young aud feeble. Elsa. KIDD Including
an abundant provision for all their W. nts.
Tho TRANSITION Of thought Is naturally
made from the assertion he Lord is my
shepherd" a personal. present and beau.
ttful relation to the other assertion, u
shall not want Everything that could
be proper object OF desire. whether tenn
poral or spiritual would be supplied
PAsTUREs.-tverse % One of-the CHIEF
needs OF flock Is food, not always easily
tanned in the east. There were rugged
and barren hillsides and desert pla es
where little subsistence could be found,
where grazing would be difficult II not
impossible, and where beasts might perish
with hunger There were also Intervene 6
valleys Of greater or less extent. watered
from the surrounding hills. There the
grass grew. sweet and tender. To these
valleys the shepherd led his sheer. he
going before and they fonowing. There
for weeks they would remain. In like
manner the soul needs nourishment with
out which Il Ian guishes and dies. Truth
liz the one precious aliment. which men
seek but often fail to find. fProv.
xxii:25.) The Lord by his spirit leads men
into the truth, which Is abundant In
tho pasture. lands OF tho soul. fJohn
1iv:es,) There one may feed and be ga u.s.
fled, and lie down In the sweet conscious.
%bot 10 rea met. even
as the sheep will repose when Its wants
are met in the valleys covered over with
the green grass. David uses figure OF
speech highly expressive
WATERS .-Cverse 81 Food is not more
necessary than drink to support animal
life. And In all the lands OF the Eible
water was scarce. The pntriarchs dug
wells which they highly priced (Genes's
XVI: 1877 And these became the places
for man and beast. John "; g. In that
hot country rivers were rare. but when
found they were esteemed as very great
blessings. Accordingly long journeys
were made that flocks might he brought
to stream OF water, and there for days
together they remained. The green grass
and the running brook were generally
found together. The tranquil waters.
where in great quietness refreshment
might be had. were always preferred.
David se'zcs these features to express
what God did for him. The calmness. the
lepose of the soul. when salvation flows
like a river. is here declared. There Is
no apprehension OF want. The heart is
at peace with God. 1t has been made TO
drink OF the water OF life which in q
man becomes a well OF water spring ne
up into everlasting life. John xiv: I'D
PATHS.-(Verse 49, Our author contin-
ues to use the illustrations with which he
began. When the flock has been fed and
watered. when It has laid down IN the
green grass and been refreshed. then the
life is restored. whereas before me
sheep were faint, now they are strong.
They are, therefore prepared to follow
the shepherd to some other part of the
country, where there may be good pas
ture and water. But In that case the
shepherd once more displays his care for
the sheep. He selects good path IN
which they may he safely conducted to
assured that all Is we'll. This Is paral-
,leied In the life of the righteous. They.
TOO, are strengthened by the food and
drink when they calmly rest where God
has appo nted good things for them. Then
they 60 under His leadership into various
scenes and experiences. But the way, the
path along which they travel, Is one OF
Righteousness. There are no dangers u,
It. Being led, the traveller may tread
without fear.
VALLEY.-(verse ~ See that flock as
II passes from tho old encampment to the
new. AL times II Is NOV ms along lofty
heights. where one sheep only may teaA
at time, every foot being placed with
utmost caro-. At other times It descends
to the vale, Swallowed by the oyethang-
Ing cliffs, where wi. beasts might rush
out and fall suddenly upon the sheen
and bear them away That valley OF
death has been tho place where the tlmld
might fear, but all who remember the
shepherd's lovc and care. who soc HIM
before and hear His voice Of Invitation,
dismiss all their fear and go boldly for
ward. so 1t is with the man who trusts
in God. Sometimes he Is IN clear place !,
far removed from all temptation and
alarm. Sometimes he realizes that there
Is but step between him and death.
Il Samuel, xx; 81 Indeed, all along his
pilgrim way he feels that at any time
he may be called to try the uncertainties
Of another world. But looking unto the
Lord. who is ever with him, he fears no
evil. The rod Of the shepherd delivers
the fallen sheep So the hand OF GOD Is
rea ched out to save i 5 own.
TABLE.--(verse s. Thus far the psalm