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 into forbidden places. Explain the next line. As the shepherd goes before and leads his sheep by the right paths, avoiding all dangers, so the Lord leads His people into "the paths of righteousness". What does "for His name's sake" mean? He has undertaken to guide His people safely and will do it for the honour of His name. In the next section, whom is the Psalmist addressing? He is speaking to the Lord. What words show that he is still using the figure of the shepherd and the sheep? "Through the valley"; "Thy rod and thy staff".