“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake,” verse 3.

First of all in this verse we have:—

I. A SAD TRUTH SUGGESTED

We are reminded that sheep get into trouble!

David spoke of how a lamb of his became a victim of a lion and bear. “There came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock,” 1 Samuel 17:34. One would have been enough but both attacked.

The word ‘took’ means to ‘carry off’. The lamb was being taken away from David and the flock.

That is what is pictured here and such is what the devil and sin would do with us. Carry us off from the place where the Lord would have us to be.

But here we have:

II. A COMFORTING TRUTH STATED

“He restoreth my soul.” The ‘SOUL’ is the target of the devil.

The word restore means to ‘bring back.’

Just like the parable in Luke 15:4-6. “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.” That is what the Lord does for His sheep.

“The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry,” Psalm 34:15.

But here we also have:

III. AN ENCOURAGING TRUTH STATED

“He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” We have sung hymn 439. Verse 3 states:

When I Would Wander From The Path Astray,

Then He Will Draw Me Back Into The Way.

* The unceasing care that the Lord takes of His children. This is not because of any merit in them but for his own glory and the praise of his grace.

* It would bring shame upon the Lord, were we to get lost and when we stray from the paths of righteousness.

* Boys and girls remember this. Sin in us shames the Lord!!!