GLORIES. We can but hint, 1. Here is appropriati<m. "My Shepherd" (see John x. 11, 27, 28). 2. Here is satiifadion. " I shall not want." 3. Here is lmJalty. The psalwist not only consents to but delights in this Divine care, and bas no wigh but to follow where the Shepherd leads. 4. Here is joy. 'l'his thought is (perhaps btently, but really) in the expression, "'l'hou art with me." 'fbe presence of God is life's exceeding joy. 5. Here isfearlessness. "I will fear no evil." Not even the darkest shade can make him fear, for God is with him there. 6. Here is recognition of the infinite grace of the Shepherd. (Ver. 3.) "For bis Name•~ sake." Not for our sakes, but for his own; having undertaken to be the Shepherd, he will for his own glory's sake do all that a shepherd's care demands. IV, THE SHEPHERD-CABE OF GOD 1s CELEBRATED IN BONG. The song has a three- fold significance. 1. It is a s<mg of gratitude. " Goodness and mercy " mark every feature of the Divine treatment, and they will, to life's end. 2. It is a song of hope. The psalmist looks forward, without a moment's fear of the Shepherd ever leaving him (ver. 6). 3. It is a song and vow of consecration. "I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." To what extent David thought of a future state when he wrote these words, we cannot say. Yet his meaning is to some extent clear. The house of God was the place where God made his home and manifested himself to his people (see Ps. cx.xxii. 13-16). And the writer says, "Where God makes his home, there shall be mine. He and I will never part company" (see Pss. 1.xi. 4; xlviii. 14; lxxiii. 24-26). It was not the house of God, but the God of the house, that was to be David's home- and the home of all the saints-for ever and/or ever I There is a picture by Sir Noel Paton, which is a marvellous illustration of this psalm. It is entitled,' The Valley of the Shadow of Death.' It is worthy of prolonged study. In the foreground is a dismal and dark valley, through which a blasting wind has swept, laying low alike the warrior and the king; the helmet of the one and the crown of the other lie useless on the ground. In the centre of the picture is the Lord Jesus, with a halo of glory over his head, a crown of thorns around his brow, and in one hand a shepherd's staff. On the left is a young maiden, whose face bears traces of the terror she has felt in coming through the valley, and yet of radiant hope as sho now sees the good Shepherd there. She grasps his hand; he holds hers; his feet stan,I on a grave- stone, beneath which lie the remains of the fallen; but where the Shepherd sets his feet, the tombstone is luminous with the words, "Death is swallowed up in victory! " The very sight of that glorious picture weaned one from the vanities of the world, and drew her to Jesus; and in tho case of "an old disciple" it completely abolished the fear of death I May we all, by faith, catch II glimpse of our Shepherd, and every fear will vanish quite away 1-0.
Vers. 1-6.-The good Shepherd. Dr. Arnold said that "amongst Christians, all looking upon the Scriptures as their rule of faith and life, there are particular passages which will most suit the wants of particular minds, and appear to them therefore full of nn extraordinary measure of comfort and of wisdom." This is true, Most people huve their favourite passages of Scripture. But it may be said of this psalm that it holds a peculiar position. It bas for more than three thousand years been one of the most precious possessions of the Church. Jews and Christians alike hold it dear, and thero are few, if they were asked, but would thankfully confess that of all the psulms, it was to them the S\VEetest and most precious. It is among the psalms what Daniel was, compared with other men, "greatly beloved." Why is this? Much, no doubt, depends upon association; but apart from this there are reasons, in the psalm itself, to account fur the high place which it holds in all hearts. Three may be mentioned, I. BECAUSE IT BRINGS GoD BEFORE us IN BO ENDEARING A 0HAIIACT!lB. He is here represtnted a~ a Shepherd and a Host. The better we understand what this menneth, the more will onr hearts go forth to him in love and trust. He is all, and in all. Yea, each of us may say, "He is mine." u. Bi,;cAUSE IT GIVES us SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF THE BLESSEDNESS OF GoD's PEOPLE, '!'hey are the sheep of his pasture, and the guests of his table. Here in this world they arc ever under bis good and gentle keeping, and when they depart hence, it shall be to dwell in his house for ever. "The psalmist describes himself as one of Jehovah's flock, safe under his care, absolved from all anxieties by the sense of his 170 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PS. xxm. 1-6,
rro_tection, and gaining from this confidence of safety the leisure to enjoy without satiety, all the simple pleasures which make up life-the freshness of the me~dow, the coolness of the stream. It is the most complete picture of happiness that ever was or can be drawn. It represents that state of mind for which all alike sigh, aud the want of which makEs life a failure to most; it reprcsc·nts that heaven, which is everywhere if we could but enter it, and yet almost nowhere, because so few of us can" (' Ecce Hom~'). III. BECAUSE IT IS ASSOCIATED so CLOSELY WITH OUR RELIGIOUS LIFE. '!'hough much of Scripture may be neglected, and almost unkuown, this psalm is known and loved by all. We learnt it at our mother's knee, and we have cherished it fondly ever since. To young and old, to the rich and poor, to the people of various lands and tongues, it is equally dear. At home and in the sanctuary it is in constant use. In the time of our joy it bas been the vehicle of our gladness, and in days of darkness it has brought us comfort. When weary it gives us rest; when lonely it gives us company; when oppressed with sin and care it leads us to him who can restore onr souls, and guide us safely through all difficulties and dangers, onward to the bright future. In itself it is exceedingly precious, but in the light of the gospel, and as inter- preted by our d,ar Lord and Saviour, its value is infinitely enhanced. Jesus "the Good Shepherd" is here, and his sheep hear his voice, and follow him-to alory, 0 honour, and immortality.-W. F.