The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1915-04-15

GOLDEN TExT-The Lord is nv shep.
herd.--Ps. 23:1
This Is the most famous of tho
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 @ type to him Of his rela-
| tions to God. Israels 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 Chron. IS:
1924. The word psalm" is from the
Greek, and first meant stringed In
strument. The Hebrew title of this
book Is Praises" or 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
| (D "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" 1t Is his business to care
for his sheep. We are the sheep.
Jesus Is the Shepherd and his sheep
obey his voice (John 1924, 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 fine of storm.
| (2) "He& Ieadeth me-" "'The Lord Is
my Shepherd because (a) he bought
me, (b> heN'ceds me; (c) he leads me-"
-Roberts'A1s4S 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 fndivid-
ual shepherd, interested In the one
as we'll as the whole, and as such at
tends to each individuals need. He
provides place for us to "lie down
In pastures of tender grass" he also
causes lis to walk beside waters OF
quletness." 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. II
the lamb is too weak, he carries 1t "in
, his bosom until 1t Is revived. Many
are the ways he reviyes US. A word,
sentence, 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 fright 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.
4. (4) "Yea thonh walk" Just as
every need, has been 'pdgMill shes pg,os
i. yided for (Phil. 4:19 even 80 wi
every fear be banished. The flock ha
passed beyond the tender grass" an
"watersA Of quietness" into new an
strange Experiences, into the vale
|
experience Of physical death but al
of life's experiences that are ehroud
ed by thick, impenetrable darkness
for the Christian does not always wall
in paths Of light. Sometimes we scarce
ly see the Shepherd, but we may al
ways hear his voice. Dark valley
mey lie between two excellent pas
v turage grounds even as Bunyan sug
gests in Pilgrims Progress. Deatl
is q shadow, not substance, for tn
sting Of sin has been removed {
= Cor. 15:54-57). Why not fear? "Fo
thou art with me" and he Is stronge
y than any possible enemy. There ar
dangers which we cannot cope with
e but as he is with us eve are able"
(5) "My cup runneth over" Her
X the figure changes. Jehovah Is nov
!. the bountlful host. What repast h
e has spread. David as shepherd AM
!, as a fugitive from Saul knew the pincl
4 Of hunger and the satisfaction Of eat
n ing in peace in the very presence o
y his enemies, man and beast. The
that are Christs have enemies (Johl
1919; III Tim 3:12), but as our Hos
ne mas spread Il DdllqueL III lhoii WI
presence while The world goes @
II feeding upon tho husks. lie also anoint
- our heads with the coil OF gladness,
y the Holy Spirit (Acts 1928; Joh
2:20, 81 r. w. For the ancient feas
this amounting was an essential PREF
e aration.
Is icy 81 shall dwell forever
n Goodness and mercy pursue the paalf
ist in marked contrast with the calar
ity and the angel Of Judgment while
follow the wicked Cps. 1855; 140:11
There is perpetuity Of blessing
J. we'll as the penalty Of sin. The sall
J. list leaves the feast for his .,ellil
n house which shall abide Ito leng
!. Of days" This is to be interpret
- in It's fullness only by the New Test
! rnent (John 1918; I Thess. AIS, L
y Everlasting Fellowship, communi
< and companionship with the On