The Tulsa star. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1913-1921, 1915-04-17

shepherd kings writings. Probably
written in his later life. he borrows
his figure from the experience OF his
youth. The relation OF the lamb to
David is a tyre to him OF his rela-
tions to God Israels greatest poet
had ample time for meditation In tho
days Of his youth as he followed the
occupation OF shepherd His playing
on the harp is famous and he made
the first official use Of music in the
worship os Jehovah Csee | Chron. IS:
1920. The word Psalm" is from the
Greek. and first meant stringed in
strument. The Hebrew title OF this
book is Praises" or the $50 psalms
David is expressly credited with 73.
To fully study this. the sweetest Of
all psalms, We must consider II verso
by verse
(D MY Shepherd" The lamb q
David The shepherd is Jehovah. The
time is mans natural time on earth.
The rest is in the future. This Shep-
herd so provides that the lamb shall
not want" 1t is his business to care
for his sheep, We are the sheep.
Jesus Is the Shepherd, and his sheep
obey his voice John 1874, 81. We
shall not want for food. for drink, fo'
grace for quietness, for companion
ship, for guidance and for welcome
back to the fold at the end of the day
or in the time Of storm.
(2) "He leadeth me-" "The Lord IS
my Shepherd because (a) he bought
me; lbl he feeds me; tc) he leads me-"
Robertson To fully comprehend
the ieep significance OF this psalm we
must try to know the land OF Palestine
and the habits of eastern shepherds;
how they feed their nocks, know
them by name. and keep constant
vigil against the danger OF flood and
wild beasts. The Lord Is an individ-
ual shepherd. interested IN the one
as well as the whole. and as such at
tends TO each individuals need. He
provides a place for us to lie down
in pastures OF tender grass" he also
causes us to walk beside waters OF
uuietness." He makes us to lie down
at times and he knows where to lead.
providing at the same time both food
and drink.
(3) HE restoreth my soul" The
Shepherd revives our faintness. X
the lamb Is too weak, he carries II In
his bosom" until 1t is revived. Many
are the ways he revives us. A word,
a sentence, a paragraph. or an expert
ence will ofttimes restore the sick.
weary, sorrowful or sin-buffeted child
OF God. He also leads-remember he
does not drive-and his paths are
paths OF pleasantness and OF peace.
His paths are right tracks" not the
delusive ones OF sin. We cannot
walk in these paths without his leader
ship. without his strengthening rest
''hout the invigorating food and
drink which is provided for us by the
Good Shepherd.
(4) "Yea though ! walk" Just as
| every need has been and will be pro-
vided for (Phil. 4:19) even so viii
| every fear be banished. The flock has
passed beyond the tender grass and
waters OF quietness" into new and
strange experiences. into the valley
of deepest darkness" not alone the
experience OF physical death but all
OF life's experiences that are shroud
ed by thick, impenetrable darkness
for the Christian does not always walk
in paths OF light. Sometimes we scarce
/ ly see the Shepherd, but we may al
ways hear his voice. Dark valleys
may lie between two excellent pas
turage grounds even as Bunyan sug
gests in Pilgrims Progress. Death
is a shadow, not a substance, for the
sting OF sin has been removed q
Cor. 15:54-5T. Why not fear? FOL
thou art with me" and he is stronger
than any possible enemy. There are
dangers which we cannot cope with
but as he is with us I'VE are able"
(5) my cup rInneth over" Here
the figure changes. Jehovah Is nov
the bountiful host. What a repast hi
has spread! David as a shepherd anC
as a fugitive from Saul knew the pincf
OF hunger and the satisfaction OF eat
ing in peace, In the very presence o
his enemies. man and beast. The!
that are Christ's have enemies (Johr
1919: II Tim. 3:12), but as our Hos
he has spread a banquet in their yer!
presence while the world goes oI
feeding upon the husks. He also anoint
our heads with the "oil OF sladness,
the Holy Spirit (Acts 1898; JohI
2:2O, 27 r. W. For the ancient feas
this amounting was an essential prep
aration.
(6) II shall dwell forever.
Goodness and mercy pursue the psalm
list in marked contrast with the calau
tty and the angel OF judgment whicl
follow the wicked (Ps. 35:6; l40:lll
There is a perpetuity Of blessing a
well as the penalty OF sin. The psalm
ist leaves the feast for his dwellin
house which shall abide ito lengt
OF days" This is to be interprete
in its nillness only by the New Test
ment John 14:1-3; l Thess. 4;16. II