Middletown transcript., 1920-06-19

child Of tender years can understand.
The teachers work will be mainly to
point out the riches of its content, not
to explain difficulties. The position
Of the Psalm determines its value. 1t
is preceded by the Psalm of the
Cross. Only those who are under the
power of the cross can claim its
promises. There are no green pas
lures to those who have not seen
Christ on the cross.
The relationship of the Lord to his
children is set forth in this Psalm as:
I. The Divine Shepherd wv. 14).
The teacher should thoroughly fa-
miliarize himself with the life and
service of a shepherd. AS our shep'
herd,
l. He feeds his sheep wv. 1, p.
The "green pastures" are for nourish'
ment. The Lord always provides food
for his own sheep, both temporal ana
spiritual. He gives us our daily
bread, but our highest and best food
is Christ, the Bread sent down from
heaven for our souls (JOhn 6:5S), OF
which if we eat we shall live forever.
2. He gives rest ". p. He not only
gives food, but he maketh his sheep
to lie down. When the sheep have
been satisfied with food they lie down
to rest. Our finite natures require
rest-we cannot 60 on forever, so the
Divine Shepherd has arranged rest.
ing places on the way, two OF which
are night and the Sabbath. How sweet
they both are to the Child of God
Sometimes he makes us to take en-
forced rest. 1t is most comforting to
know that when he makes us lie down
it is in the green pastures, not on the
dusty road or the rocky mountain side
Our shepherd sometimes leads us over
steep and rocky roads, but this is in
order that we may reach the spots OF
green pasture.
3. He keeps the sheep in safety ".
81. He restores our souls. The rest
by the still water results in the
restoration of bodily and spiritual
strength. In the times of quiet he re-
stores the spiritual life by the feeding
upon God through his Word and means
of grace. The restored soul Is led
into the paths of righteousness, that
is, in the performance of labor for
him. We have been saved not merely
for our pleasure, but that we might
do his good pleasure, that is, his work
We are saved to serve.
4. He guides the sheep in times OF
danger (v. ~. He goes with his own
through danger and trials. There Is
no night so dark or sea so stormy but
what we can hear the voice OF the
Divine Shepherd Saying, "Be not
afraid, it is l." May we have ears t.
hear!
). He comforts his sheep in sorrow
(v. ~. The rod was used by the
shepherd to count his sheep. Passing
under the shepherds rod was the sign
of ownership. Such acknowledgment
would greatly comfort, even though
the rod was the instrument which
caused the sorrow. The conscious.
ness that it was laid on by the low
ing shepherds hand would turn the
rod which smote to staff to lean upon.
u. The Divine Host wv. 5, g..
1. He spreads a table in the sight
of our enemies ". 81. Though dan.
gers are on every hand. the enemies
plotting and scheming, the mighty
shepherd provides feast for his own
in their sight. We can sit down to
that feast with the assurance that no
one can disturb us.
2. He anOints our heads with oil ".
81. Oil is symbol Of joy. There
should be no sad faces among Christ's
own.
3. Goodness and mercy perpetually
follow (v. g.. These are Gods two
angels which encamp round about
those that fear him. They hold back
the enemies from overtaking US; we
can feast at Gods banquet table.
Even when the days seem dark and
sorrows come thick and fast. Gods
goodness and mercy still follow.
4. Eternally dwelling with God ".
O.. They shall no more go out from
his presence. He who hath begun q
good work in us shall complete 1t
unto the day Of redemption. May
every one take this Psalm for himself
and make Christ his own personal