Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-14

INTRODUCTION.-Th psalm is as
serted in the title to have been composed
by David. and there is nothing In its con-
tents contrary to this superstition In
deed. there are many illusions that cor
respond with the facts OF his history. es-
pecially with the recollections or MS
early life when he tended his father
focks 1t is wholly uncertain on what
occasion the psalm was written. as there
are in 1t no indications of time and no
illusions to any circumstances In the ca
reer of the author. Whether it was pro-
duced in a time of prosperity or adver-
sity, whether under persecution or III
umph no one can affirm. But IN all the
centuries this brief hymn has been highiy
priced by devout souls. even above any
other piece Of literature of equal length
in any language unless 1t may ne the
beatitudes of our Lord. 1t por'FaSs II,
exquisite style the watchful care or zoo
and the consequent assurance Wnich LIZ, ~.
feel who put their trust in Him. ne
language and the thought nave peen
Justly priced as suited to each other the
outward breathing of the righteous.
SHEPHERD Verse DIT Is wen
known that in oriental countries the s
herd was tenderly watchful over MS h oeN n.
both by day and by night. NO paIei..
vas more solicitous for his children than
was he for his sheep. Oohn, Kill, 1eeue
referred to this in His teaching ana Ha Sl
it the basis of many comiorllhs. an.s
for His disciples. All the love OF man 5
heart was drawn out toward the tiin.o
and innocent creatures who were coiiiiiit
ted to his keeping and VINO 1eafeu ho.n
ing when in his presence. Da'iu' WIZ
had been a shepherd and had all THESE
experiences. could find no more appro-
pirate term to apply to the LORD man 70
cali Him shepherd. The idea contained
in the word is that of care, protecuoii a ~, u
guidance. particular attention 10 Tue
Young and feeble lisa. Kid, includlhE
ali abundant provision for all their vans
The transition of thought. is haturaiiy
made from the assertion, Tine Loro -
nv shepherd" personal, present anu
beautiful relation to the other asse[ IL y;
II shall not want" Everything that coulo
he a proper object of desire, whether tenn
poral or spiritual, would be supplied.
PASTURES Verse Done OF tne
chief needs of a flock is food. not always
easily obtained in the east There were
rusyed and barren hillsides and desert
nIaces. where little subsistence could De
found. where grazing would ne oHIcu..
IL not Impossible, and where beasts mig. 81,
perish with hunger. There were also III
tervening valleys OF g reatea vi nils
tent watered from the surrounding mis-
There the grass grew sweet and tehoe,.
To these valleys the shepherd led MS
sheep, he going before and they 1ono"ins.
There for weeks they Woulu lohio!Ai-
like manner the soul needs nourisnment'
without which it languishes and aes.
| Truth is the one precious aliment Wnlcn
men seek but often fail to find: prov.,
xxiii:233 The Lord by His spirit leaos
men into the truth, which Is abundant III
the nasture lands of the soul. (John'
xiv.26l There one may feed and be sat
isfied and lie down in the sweet conscious
ness that the souls needs are met, even as
the sheep will repose when Its wants are
met in the valleys covered over Win the
green grass. David uses a nsure VI
Sneech highly expressive.
WATERS Verse 2.-Food is not
more necessary than drink to support ami
NAL life. And in all the lanos OF the
Bible water was scarce. The patriarchs
dug wells which they highly prized
(Gen.. xxvi:1S), and these became the
favorite places for man and beast. John.
iv:6) In that hot country rivers were
scarce, but when found they were es-
teemed as very great blessings. Accord
ingly long journeys were made that hocks
might be brought to a stream of water
and there for days together they re-
NAMED The green grass and the run
ming brook were generally found togetner
The tranquil waters, where In great quiet
ness refreshment might be had. were al
ways preferred. David seizes these fea-
lures to express what God did for him.
The calmness, the repose of the SOUL