PSALM xxiii.
This little psalm has been called the nightingale of the psalms. It sings |in the shade when all things rest.| It makes music in the darkness; it gives me |songs in the night.| And what does it sing about?
It sings of God's bounty in food and rest. |Green pastures|; |still waters.| My Lord knows when my heart is faint, when it needs His reviving food. He knows when my heart is tired and needs His sweet rest. |He restoreth my soul.|
And it sings of the God-appointed way across the hill. |He leadeth me in paths of righteousness.| He makes the right way clear. He walks the path of duty with me. |Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.|
And it sings of the feast which the Lord serves in the very midst of my foes. |He spreadeth a table before me in the midst of mine enemies.| He gives me the fat things of grace in the very presence of frowning circumstances.
And it sings of the providence which guards the rear. |Goodness and mercy shall follow me!| God's grace comes between me and my yesterdays. It cuts off the heredity from the old Adam, and no far-off plague comes nigh my dwelling.