The Dolores star., 1915-04-16

herd.-Ps. al.
This ia 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 made
the first Official use OF music in the
worship Of Jehovah (see I Chron. Is:
1920. The word Psalm" IL from the
Greek, and first meant . stringed In
strument. The Hebrew title Of this
book 10 Praises" or the $50 psalms
David is expressly credited with 70.
To fully study this, the sweetest Of
all psalms, We must consider II verse
by verse.
% my Shepherd" The lamb Is
David. The Shepherd 10 Jehovah. The
time In mans natural time on earth.
| The rest Is in the future. This Shep-
herd so provides that the lamb shall
not want" II is his business to care
for his sheep. We are 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 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) NE isadsth me-" The Lord Is
my Shepherd because (a) he bought
me; tb) 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 hocks. 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
% well - 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
ouietness." He makes US to lie down
at times and he knows where to lead.
providing at the same time both food
and drink.
(3) "Hs sestorsth my soul" Tho
Shepherd revives our faintness. II
the lamb 10 too weak. he carries II In
his bosom" until II 10 revived. Many
are the ways he revives US. A word.
q sentence, . paragraph, or an expert
ence Will ofttimes restore the sick.
weary, sorrowful or sin-buheted 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 tho
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 IL provided for u by the
Good Shepherd.
~ "vss though ! walk" Just ~
every need has been aud will be pro-
vided for phil. 4:Is) 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 rfe's experiences that are shroud.
Cd by thick. impenetrabie 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
may lie between two excellent pas
turase grounds even as Bunyan sug.
gests In Pilgrims Progress. Death
IL . shadow. not . substance. for the
sting Of sin has been removed Il
Cor. is:bt57). Why not fear! For
thou art with me" and he Ii stronger
than any possible enemy. There are
dangers which We cannot cope with
but a. he 10 with Us I'VE are able"
90 NY cup rvnnsth over" Here
the figure changes. Jehovah 10 nov
the bountiful host. What a repast he
has spread David a. . shepherd and
% . fugitive from Saul knew the pinch
Of hunger and the satisfaction Of eat
ting In peace. In the very presence Of
his enemies. man and beast. They
that are Christs have enemies John
1878: II Tim. 3:i2l. but ~ our Host
he has spread . banquet In their very
presence while the world goes on
feeding upon tho husks. He also anoints
our heads with the oil Of kiadness."
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