The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1915-04-16

This is the most famous of the
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 type to him Of his rela-
tons 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 maNe
the first official use of music in the
worship Of Jehovah (see l Chron. 10:
1924. The word Psalm" is from the
Greek, and first meant q stringed in
strument. The Hebrew title of this
book is Praises" OF the $50 psalms
David is expressly credited with %.
Praise of God is the central theme of
all. Thanksgiving, trust. prayer and
triumph each receive expression. and
a large group are Messianic.
To fully study this, the sweetest of
all psalms, we must consider it verse
by verse.
(1) "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 shall
not want" It is his business to care
for his sheep. We r the sheep.
Jesus is the Shepherd, and his sheep
obey his voice (John 1914, 81. We
shall not want for food, for drink. for
grace, for q1ietness, 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-" 1.-THE Lord IS
my Shepherd because (a) he bought
me; (b) 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 f1ocks, know
them by name, and keep constant
vigil against the danger of flood and
wild beasts. The Lord is an indivi6-
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. lie down
in pastures Of tender grass" he also
causes us to walk beside waters of
quietness." He makes US to lie down
at times and he knows where to lead.
providing at the same time both food
and drink. Gods word is the rich
est pasturage for the sheep of the
Great Shepherd.
81 "He r%estoreth my SOUL" The
Shepherd reviveS our faintness. If
the lamb is toe weak, he carries it in
his bosom" until it 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-bufeted child
Of God. He also leads-remember ne
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 invigorating food and
drink which is provided for us by the
Good Shepherd. Jehovah does all of
this for "His names sake" not be-
cause of our merit, though of course
he does guard and help his people
for their own sakes. but they have a
stronger security because of what he
Is himself.
b (4) "Yea though ! walk" Just as
every need has been and will be pro-
vided for (Phil. 4:19) even SO will
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, impenetrab1e darkness,
for the Christian does not always walk
in paths of light. Sometimes we scarce
~ see the Shepherd, but we may al
ways hear his voice. Dark valleys
nay 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 Il
Cor. 1~5:54-57). Why not fear? For
thou art with me" and he is stronger
than any possible eneray. There are
dangers which we cannot cope with,
but as he is with us I'VE are able
lisa 1872; Rom. 1891; Heb. 1850.
The rod was used for defense and
the stan for climbing. and the east
ern shepherd still carries both. The
stan is symbolic OF the scepter-our
Shepherd is also Sovereign (Acts q:
36). The written word, kind friend,
Of remembered promise may be the
rod and stan Of God.
(5) my cup runneth over" Here
the figure changes. Jehovah is nov
the bountiful host. What a repast he
has spread! David as a shepherd and
az a 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
1913; II Tim. 3:12). but as our Host
he has spread q banquet In their very
presence while the world goes on
feeding upon the husks. He also anoints
our heads with the coll Of gladness,''
the Holy Spirit (Acts 1898: l John
z:2O, q r. VI. For the ancient feast
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