The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 164

to feed his flock (John xxi. 15-17; 1 Pet. v. 2-4). 2. In Isa. xl. 11 (as in the psalm) Christ's tender care of individuals, even the youngest, is represented. 3 and 4. In Luke xv. 3-7 and John x. 1-16 our Savionr appropriates this similitude to himself, as seekinii; and saving the lost, ruling and feeding each one who follows him, laying down his life for the flock, gathering" other sheep" into" one flock." 5. In Rev. vii. 16, 17 we see the Divine Shepherd gathering his whole flock in the safety, rest, and joy of heaven. CONCLUSION. Can you say, "The Lord is my Shepherd"? If not, the gospel has not yet fulfilled its mission in your heart and life. Observe, the warrant is not in yourself, but in your Saviour; not, "I am one of Christ's flock," but, "He is my Shepherd." If you can say this, then you may fearle,sly cast all your care on him, and finish the verse, "I shall not want" (1 Pet. v. 7; Matt. vi. 25, 26). Vers. 1---4.-" The Shepherd of Israel." To a countryman of DaviJ, an ancient Israelite, the shepherd with his flock was no poetical figure, but a most familiar object. From Carmel to Gilead, from Hennon to the pastures of the wilderness of Paran, the green hills of Canaan were covered with flocks. On these same hills and plains the forefathers of the nation-Abraham, Isaac, Israel-had pitched their camps and fed their flocks, when as yet they could not call a rood of land their own. With us the shepherd's trade is a very humble calling. The shepherd, though he may tend the sheep as faithfully as if they were his own, is a hired servant, "whose own the sheep are not" We must dismiss all such associations if we would understand either the poetry or the parables of Scripture. Abraham and his descendant! were not the only wealthy chiefs who fed their own flocks and herds. In Homer's poetry, princes and princesses are seen tending their flocks, and kings and rulers are called, as in Scripture, "shepherds of the people." Rightly understood, it is an image of as grent dignity as tenderness by which the Lord is spoken of as "the Shepherd of Israel;" and each believer is encouraged to say, with David, "The Lord is my Shepherd." I. DIVINE OWNERSHIP. (Ps. c. 3, Revised Version.) 'l'his is a sublime contempla- tion, full of comfort, but also of awe. "I belong to God." God is the only absolute Owner. "'l'he earth," etc. (Pas. xxiv. 1; xcv. 5; cxv. 16). We talk largely about our possessions-" My money, business, home; my time, labour, life." All well enough -for he "giveth us all," etc. (1 Tim. vi. 17)-if only we never forget that all is his, that we belong to him. "Despotism "-q.d. absolute, unlimited, lordsbip-is a word of terror and degradation among men, because of the cruel, selfish, tyrannical 1:1se men have me.de of it. Doubtful if there lives a man who could safely be trusted with it. But in Divine lordship is no shadow of tetTor, except for the wilfully, wickedly disobedient, no taint of degradation, no suggestion of tyranny or arbitmry caprice. It would be absurd to suppose there can be a right to do wrong with God any more thnn with man. God's wisdom, love, righteousness, are a le.w to himself. 'l'hat he is Lord of all is our safety, glory, joy, God must cease to be himself before he can inflict the lightest wrong on the weakest or unworthiest of his creatures. II. DIVINE GOODNESS, COMPASSION, 'TENDER AND WAT0HFUL CARE. Religion, worthy of the name, cannot subsist on tho bare relation of Creator and creature, any more than flowers and fruit on granite; it must be" rooted and grounded in love." The assurance that God cannot possibly inflict wrong might free us from the sla.very of fear, which otherwise the thought of hls absolute ownership might bring with it, but would not suffice to fill our life with brightntiss and joy, our heart with trust and courage. To feel in any measure the force and beauty of the similitude,and get into sympathy with the soul of the psalmist, we must get rid of all that is mean, hard, mercenary in our modern English notions, and dress our thoughts in the bright colours of Eastern life; we must see the shepherd opening the well-guarded fold aml wnlking nt tho hend of bis own flock, calling now one, now another, by its name, whilo the sheep willingly follow, for they know and love their shepherd's voice; see him in dewy morning choosing their pasture, at hot noon leading them to some tranquil pool or hidden well, ever on the watch; ready, like David, to do battle with lion, bear, or wolf, in their defence; rather laying down his life than leaving them to perish (John x. 11). "'l'he Lord is my Shepherd," etc. (vers. 1, 2). In vers. 3, 4 the spiritual meaning shines throu(;h the figure, as in vcrs. 5, 6 it is laid aside altogether; yet still tho Fsalmist 166 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PS. XXIII, 1-6.