Verse 2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. The Christian life has two elements in it, the contemplative and the active, and both of these are richly provided for.
First, the contemplative.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. What are these "green pastures" but the Scriptures of truth -- always fresh, always rich, and never exhausted?
Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep.
The second part of a vigorous Christian's life consists in gracious activity.
We not only think, but we act.
*We are not always lying down to feed,
*but are journeying onward toward perfection;
hence we read, he leadeth me beside the still waters. What are these "still waters" but the influences and graces of his blessed Spirit?
His Spirit attends us in various operations, like waters
-- in the plural --
*to cleanse,
*to refresh,
*to cherish.
They are "still waters", for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of ostentation in his operations. Charles Spurgeon
