The Bible serves, first, as a great religious
teacher. Second, it stands as a model of literature
whose greatness is everywhere acknowledged. Men
like John Bunyan and Abraham Lincoln learned to
write their beautiful prose through their close,
continued reading of the Scriptures. No finer
poetry exists than the Psalms of David, among which
the following is a favorite.
The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He
leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for His name's sake. 5
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy
rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine
enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup 10
runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of
my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
--_The Bible._
1. This psalm should be among your collection of
memory gems. Repeat it aloud in unison with the
other members of your class. Why does it especially
lend itself to being spoken?
2. Palestine is a semiarid country. Why should
David make the reference to "green pastures" and
"still waters"? Why is there no mention of running
brooks and woods?