phant.

In what way were these men really blind? They
could not, or would not, see the viewpoint of
others. There may be a mental blindness, as
well as a physical blindness.

Here are two lines that you may memorize, as
they fit the lesson very well:

Convince a man against his will,
He's of the same opinion still.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

(Second Reader, page 203)

AIM

To lead the pupils to appreciate the beauty and power of the language of
this Biblical lesson, and to feel a confidence in God's protection and
support.

PRESENTATION

The teacher should talk with the pupils about the great flocks of sheep
in Eastern lands. They require a shepherd to lead them to pastures where
the grass is long and sweet, and to protect them from the wild animals.

This Psalm is called the "Shepherd Psalm" because it was written by
David, after he became a king. He remembered the time when he was a
shepherd boy and used to spend his days and nights in the fields with
the sheep, and how he once killed a lion and a bear that came to attack
his flock; and he thought to himself that God had cared for him all his
life just as he himself used to care for his little lambs, so at last he
put his thoughts into the words of this Twenty-third Psalm.

There are two metaphors in this Psalm. In the first is developed,
through the figure of a shepherd and his flock, God's care of His
people.

What are the feelings of the sheep toward the
shepherd? They feel confident that he will
supply them with food; he will lead them to the
"green pastures" and to the "still waters" by
the wells and fountains, where they will
neither hunger nor thirst.

What does the expression "lie down" infer? A
sense of rest and security. The sheep can lie
down in the "green pastures" and feel
confident that the shepherd is able and willing
to protect them from danger.

In what way do we resemble the sheep? We are
dependent upon the Lord for our supply of
spiritual and material needs, and for guidance
and protection along the path of everyday life.

What does the Psalmist mean when he says: "He
restoreth my soul"? "Soul" means, in Hebrew,
the "life," or "one's self". The Lord restores
and brings back His people, when wandering int