weary sheep drink.

"There is nothing finer in the psalm than this. God's care is not
for the wounded only, but for the worn and weary also. '_Thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over_.'

"And then, when the day is done and the sheep are snug within the
fold, what contentment, what rest under the starry sky! Then comes
the thought of deepest repose and comfort: '_Surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me all the days of my life_,' as they have
through all the wanderings of the day now ended.

"The song dies away as the heart that God has watched and tended
breathes this grateful vow before the roaming of the day is
forgotten in sleep: '_I will_--not shall, but will; for it is a
decision, a settled purpose, a holy vow--'I will dwell in the house
of the Lord for ever_.' And the song ends, and the sheep are at
rest, safe in the good shepherd's fold."

Do you wonder that ever since that night we have called this psalm
The Song of Our Syrian Guest?

Sidelights

Shepherd Life in Bible Lands

PROFESSOR GEORGE E. POST

The American College, Bayrout, Syria

"The same regions which furnished the vast flocks in ancient times
are still noted for their sheep. All the plateaus east of the
Jordan and the mountains of Palestine and Syria are pasture-grounds
for innumerable flocks and herds. They require water but once a
day, and, where they cannot get it from perennial streams, they
find it in the innumerable wells, fountains and cisterns. The
descendants of the same shepherds who tended flocks in Bible days
still occupy the great sheepwalks of Palestine.

"The care of sheep is the subject of frequent allusion in
Scripture. The shepherd leads (not drives) them to pasture and
water (Ps. 23; 77:20; 78:52; 80:1); protects them at the risk of
his life (John 10:15). To keep them from the cold and rain and
beasts, he collects them in caves (1 Sam. 24:3) or enclosures built
of rough stones (Num. 32:16; Judg. 5:16; Zeph. 2:6; John 10:1).
The sheep know their shepherd, and heed his voice (John 10:4). It
is one of the most interesting spectacles to see a number of flocks
of thirsty sheep brought by their several shepherds to be watered
at a fountain. Each flock, in obedience to the call of its own
shepherd, lies down, awaiting its turn. The shepherd of one flock
calls his sheep in squads, draws water for them, pours it into the
troughs, and, when the squad has done, orders it away by sounds
which t