The Brinkley argus., 1915-04-16
NITpNHIlOM SUNDNSQlDM
 LESSON uy E. O. SELLERS, Acting Director oi Sunday School Course. The Moody Bible Institute Chicago, 1ll)
LESSON FOR APRIL 18
THE SHEPHERDS PSALM.

LESSON TExT-Psalm 23.
 GOLDEN TEXT-The kord is my Shep- herd.-Ps. 23:1
 This is the most famous Of the shepherd kings writings. Probably written in his later life, he borrows his figure from the experience or ms youth. The relation of the lamb to David is a type to him of his reia- tions to God Israel's greatest poet had ample time for meditation in the 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 of Jehovah fsee l Chron. 10: 15-24. The word Psalm" is from the Greek. and first meant stringed in- strument. The Hebrew title of this hook is Praises" Of the 150 psalms David is expressly credited with 73.
 To fully study this, the sweetest Of all psalms. we must consider 1t verse by verse.
 n) My Shepherd" The lamb is 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 "shali not want" It is his business to care for his sheep. We are the sheep. Jesus is the Shepherd, and his sheep obey his voice John 10:4, 5. We shall not want for food, for drink. TOT 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 ieadeth me" The Lord fs my Shepherd because (a) he bought me: fb) he feeds me; (c) he leads me. Robertson. To fully comprehend the deep significance of this psalm we must try to know the land of Palestine and the habits of eastern shepherds; how they feed their focks, 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 we'll as the whole, and as such at tends to each individuals need. He provides a place for us to Tie down in pastures of tender grass" he also causes us tc walk beside waters Of ouietness." He makes us to lie down at times and he knows where to lead. providing at the same time both rood and drink.
 (3) He restoreth my soul" The Shepherd revives our faintness. If the lamb is too weak, he carries 1t In his bosom" until 1t is revived. Many are the ways he revives us. A word, a sentence, a paragraph, or an experl- ence will ofttimes restore the sick, weary. sorrowful or sin-buneted 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, without the invigoratfng 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 yided for (Phil. 4:l9) even so will every fear be banished. The flock has passed beyond the tender grass and waters of quietness" into new ana 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 all ways hear his voice. Dark valleys may lie between two excellent pas turage grounds even as Bunyan sug- gests in Pilgrims Progress. Death is 8 shadow. not substance, for the sting of sin has been removsd u Cor. 15:54-5D. Why nc, faar2 For thou art witt me" ard ne Is stronger than a~ possib enemy There are daagUfs wh!ca we cannot cope with, but g. se ,s with us I've are able"
 G. "n e-r runneth over.' Here thc fl Ire changes. Jehovah is now the bountiful host. What.a repast he has spread. David as d shepherd and as fugitive from Saul knew the pinch of hunger and the satisfaction of eat ing in peace, in the very presence of his enemies, man and beast. They that are Christ's have enemies John 15:19; II Tim. 3:12l, but as our Host he has spread a banquet in their very presence while the world goes on feeding upon the husks. He also anoints our heads with the "oii of gladness." the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:3S; John 2:20. 27 R. VI. For the ancient feast this amounting was an essential prep aration.
 (6) 'I shall dwell forever" Goodness and mercy pursue the psalm ist in marked contrast with the calam- ity and the angel of judgment which follow the wicked (Ps. 35:6; 140:1D. There is perpetuity of blessing as well as the penalty of sin. The psalm ist leaves the feast for his dwelling house which shall abide to length of days This is to be interpreted in its fullness only by the New Testa- ment John 14:1-3; Thess. 4:16, ID.
 Everlasting fellowship, communion and companionship with the Chief Shepherd, the great shepherd of the sheep" z aiax.. .J 
 Could Stand. it Longer.