THE K I N G ' S B U S I NE S S him I died holding on to my forefinger.” Can you say, “ The Lord is my Shep herd?” v. 1. The Lord is my shepherd. There is no “ if” nor even “ hope so” , but he says, “ The Lord IS my shep herd.” We must cultivate the spirit of assured depend- COMMENTS PROM ence upon our MANY SOURCES heavenly Father. Keith L. Brooks —Spurgeon. One property of a good shepherd is skill to know and judge aright of his sheep. He sets a mark upon his sheep so if they go astray, (of all creatures they are the most sub ject to wander) the shepherd may seek them and bring them home again. Christ said, “ I know them and they follow me.” (Jn. 10:27).— Sam Smith. I shall not want. Some say, “ My lands shall keep me; I shall have no want— my merchan dise shall be my help.” He that can truly say, “ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” , contemns the rest and he that cannot truly say, “ The Lord is my shepherd” , cannot really say, “ I shall not want.”—Hull. It is one thing what the sick man wants, another what his disease wants. Your ignorance, dis contents, pride, unthankful heart, may make you believe you dwell in a barren land far from mercies, whereas if God did open your eyes you might see foun tains and streams, mercies and blessings sufficient, though not rich, yet enough, and every way convenient for your good. — Sedgwick. v. 2. He maketh me to lie down. The Christian life has two elements in it, the contemplative and the active, and both of these are richly provided for. Sweet and full are the doctrines of the Gospel, fit food for souls as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep. But we are not only always lying down to feed, but are journeying on. He leadeth’ be side waters of rest--—the influences and graces of His blessed Spirit.— Spurgeon. Sitting Mary and stirring Martha are emblems of contemplation and action and as they dwell in one house, so must these in one heart.— Hardy; In green pastures. He leads me not into pastures that are withered and dry, that would distaste me before I taste them.-^R. Baker. Beside still waters. Which are opposed to great rivers which both af fright the sheep and expose them to danger.— Poole. Hebrew, "waters of
601 rest” such as sheep love to drink of. The doctrine of the Gospel like the waters of Siloe (Is. 8:6) run gently but taste pleasantly.— Trapp. v. 3. He restoreth my soul. The same hand which has rescued us from ruin reclaims us from all subsequent aberrations. Chastisement itself is blended with tenderness. — Thornton. Paths of righteousness. In the wilder ness' there are ‘ no raised paths, being merely tracks, often many running along side by side. This is what is figuratively referred to. Paths of righteousness— all leading to one point. -—Gadsby. For Has name’s sake. See ing He has taken upon Him the name of “ Good Shepherd” He will discharge His part whatever His sheep be. He will maintain the credit of His name in spite of their shortcomings.— Baker. v. 4.. Walk through the valley. As if the believer did not quicken his pace when he came to die but still calmly walked with God. It indicates the steady advance of a soul which knows its road and is perfectly calm and re posed.— Spurgeon. Valley of shadow. When there is a shadow there must be a light somewhere. Death in its sub stance has been removed for the saint and only the shadow of it remains.— McNeill. The shadow of a dog cannot bite and the shadow of death cannot destroy the Christian.— Sel. The figure is not primarily, as is often supposed, of our dying moments though it beau tifully bears that explanation, but it is the picture of a valley beset with enemies posted on hills.—Gadsby. Any and every gloomy valley of weeping through which we have to pass. Such sunless gorges we all have to travel. Strange as it may sound, the presence of Him who sends the sorrow is the best help to bear it.—Maclaren. I will fear no evil. Death shall be to the Christian no death at all but a very deliverance from death, the very entry into rest and beginning of everlasting joy.— Sel. However I may be afraid of the agonies of dying, I will fear no evil in death. The venom of its sting is taken away by Jesus Christ.— Lavington. Thou art with me. The sweetest words in the whole Bible.— Torrey. Do you know the sweetness, the security, the strength of these words? When anticipating the solemn hour of death, can you turn in soul affection to God and say, “ Oh, death, wbere is thy sting?”— Powers-
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