Vers. 1-6.-The powel' of reftootion. The psalmist looks ha.ck over his life, and sings with grateful heart of God's love and care. We may use the psalm as bringini before us some of the chan~es and contrasts of life. L YouTH AND AGE. This psalm breathes the air of youth. It is the echo of the shepherd-life among the hills of Judah. But the psalmist was now old. Still, he cleaves to God. Happy are they who have sought God early, aad whose days from youth to age are linked together by natural piety! II. HELPLESSNESS A:t.-r> SECURITY. What creatures are, when left to themselves, more weak and silly than sheep? But under the shepherd's care they are safe. So it is of the soul. Christ is the good Shepherd, and cares for his sheep. From first to last, and through all changes and dangers, they are safe under his loving guardianship. III. SORROW AND JOY. How sweet the picture of the flock feeding in "the green pastures," and by the "still waters" I But there is another scene brought before us- the dark and terrible "valley of the shadow of death." So there are alternations in the Christian life. If there are lights, there are also shadows. If there are times of sweet rest and comfort, there are also times of struggling and of fear. Mark the order -God does not at once call us to face the dark valley. It comes not at the beginning, but near the end of the Christian's course. Christ's disciples who have been with him in "the green pastures," and whose souls have been "restored," when they have fallen into sin, by his gracious discipline, are the better fitted for meeting with trial, and for treading with fearless step even the dark valley itself. IV. v,r ANT AND SATISFACTION. AlwayR there is want on our parb, and always there is supply with God. He who has God, the Possessor of all things, has everything. God is not only onr Shepherd, but our Host, and the supplies of his table neve1· fail. V. 'l'RANSITORINESS AND IMMORTALITY. All things here are fading. Sheep an<l shepherds pass away. Joys and sorrows come to an end. Our life is but as a vapour. But we look to the thinas that are unseen and eternal. God's two angels, "goodness and mercy," not only abide with us here, but will bring us to the everlasting habitation. We shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.-W. F. Ver. 5.-A. table prepared. First we may app1y this saying to our daily bread. Every "table" needs preparation. '!'here is the material '.ood, which may h~ve co~e from far• and there are the kind hands that have maue 1t ready. But besides this, there is J~ve of God. We recounize that God has to do with our "daily bread." It is a matter between him and ua." "Thou" and "me." How greatly is every blessing enhanced, when it is taken as from the hand of God 1 'l'hen circumstances may give a special significance to our commonest mercies; difficulties are overco'"!le, and wants are supplied, in a way that surprillf'!! Ui, and that leads us to confess with PB, XXIII. 1-6.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 171
grnleful hearts the loving-kindness of the Lord. A.gain, we may apply this to our social pleasures. We are not made to live alone. We crave fellowship. How graciously does God provide for our needs I We have not only the joys of home, but the pleasures of society. '!'here are some who forget God amidst the stir and the seductions of life. They conduct their business and enjoy their pleasures "without God" (Isa. v. 8-12). But it is not so with the righteous. 'l'bey desire to set the Lord always before them, and especially to acknowledge his goodness and mercy in the manifold social blessings which they enjoy. But chiefly should we apply the text to our religious pi·ivileges. The Word of God is as a "table" prepared for us. Think bow much bad to be done and suffered before we could have the Bible as a book free to every one of us! Think also how much there is in this blessed book to refresh and bless our souls !-a "feast of fat things." Public worship is another "table" sprea l 0