Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-11-14
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
November Is.
Subject: Dayid's Trust In God, Psalm 3D.
Golden Text. Pisa. q, Memory Verses,
Parliamentary on Days Lesson.

l-b-Commentary on Days Lesson.
I. The Shepherd and His sheep Tvs. 1-4).
!. Only Shepherd" Christ is the great
Shepherd and His followers are the sheep.
As a shepherd, l. Christ leads the sheep.
2. Supplies every lack. 3. Guards and
keeps them, 4. Supports them i'll times of
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: l.;
compare Heb. Is: 20; l Pet. 2: 25). 10 ap.
preciate the force of the image it is neces
the modern shepherd and the Oriental
shepherd of olden times. In that land
there IS 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 is
an unfathomable Affection, and ON the
other calm, unlimited confidence. "Shall
perence 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 Oeut. 2: ~.
and looking forward to the promised land
the, promise was that they would lack
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 IL. it
he would accept preferment in 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, "Sire, l want nothing but
more grace" ;, -.
gives rest to the weary. The wicked are
filled with unrest lisa. 81: 90, 2D, but
Christ promises soul rest to those who
come to Him Matt. Il: $500. Green
grass. The original word denotes the ten
der shoos (Deut. 50: q as distinguished
from the rips grass, which is expressed by
another word. Hence. this grass afforded
delicious and luIuriant pasture. From this
we see that SOIL satisfaction is promised
the one who fellows the diyinc; guide. lisa;
shepherd y.ever drives his flock as we do,
but goes before them. Jesus never asks
lis to go %here He does not go, or to do or
to suffer anything He has not done or SUI
fered. He is the perfect example. Ills
going before means ever better things.
Still waters" Literally. waters of rest;
where rest and refreshment may. be found
lisa. 80: lS). But others think it has ref
erence to the quietness of the waters. In
either case the figure is most beautiful and
suggests the quiet and peacefulness with
which the soul is filled when it enters into
communion with God.
3; "Restoreth my, SOUL, He ,bringeth
Matt. Is: y, 10; Pet: 2: 25). The word
for ''restoreth' means "to return bring
back" or, figuratively, Convert" O: all
animals the sheep is least able to defend it.
self, either by. resistance or flight; is most
given to wander away, and has the least
fr>yry
"Paths of Righteousness" Right paths are
opposed to intricate and unsafe ways, and
to ways of disobedience and perversity
(Psa. i25: 81. "For His names sake" To
display the glory Of His grace, and not on
account of any merit in me:
4. "Shadow of DEATH Being so neal. to
death that its shadow falls over him, for
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 fochs. though at the
hazard lI2 Of death from the wild beasts;
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 gulfs: Of sorrow when as
sured of the supporting presence and pro
tsctlng care OF Inc gooo 'chSphefu. Inc
d: mess of death is but 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 lis. into the dark
valley will guide up through it and up out
the office of the shepherd and his protec-
to be two names fer one instrument, which
was used to drive away wild animals, to
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
"Preparest a table" The figure is changed
Jehovah is now described as the host who
bountifully entertains the psalmst 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
same ideas as those given in the earlier
portion of the psalm. milne enemies" Je-
hovah had prepared this banquet for David
| as mark of special honor and favor, and
this in the presence of his enemies, who
looked on, but were not invited to partal1e.
his .afaiction had said, There is nc. help
for him in Cod" "God 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. Anointinp with oil was an
emblem of the baptism Of the Holy Spirit.
| Coup runneth over" The ovcrflowing cup
! suggests fulness of Blessing. Jehovah is
bountiful provider and is able to abund-
AD 6. s@Ss ureiy." "only." R. 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 (Psa. IS: g., hunted by calam-
| ity" GAO: ny. 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 wants and mercy to cancel all
his sins "Will dwell" These words are
to be understood figuratively. The psalm
ist expected to dwell in Gods immediate
presence forever. Forever" Here is a
suggestion. Of the closest intimacy with
Cod ond Tho onaca1oSs aninv,unnt IF His f.