,! ,song ( our ,syrian ,gue/    by      
,william ,all5 ,knight    ,illu/rations 
& ,decorative ,designs by ,*>les ,copel&
    #aijd                  ,psalm       
,,xxiii      ,! ,"l is my %eph]d2 ,i    
%all n want4    ,he make? me to lie d[n 
9 gre5 pa/ures3      he leade? me beside
 ! /ill wat]s4    ,he re/ore? my s\l3   
he leade? me 9 ! pa?s ( righte\sness    
= 8 "n's sake4    ,yea1 ?\gh ,i walk    
?r\gh ! valley ( ! %ad[ ( dea?1    ,i w 
fe> no evil3 = ?\ art ) me2      ?y rod 
& ?y /aff !y com=t me4    ,?\ prep>e/ a 
table be=e me 9 ! pres5ce      ( m9e    
enemies2      ?\ ano9te/ my head ) oil2 
my cup runne? ov]4    ,surely goodness &
 m]cy %all foll[ me      all ! days ( my
 life3 & ,i w dwell      9 ! h\se ( !   
,"l = ev]4          ,to ! h& t held !   
tea-ball  & ! faces ( two little maids  
,salutation    ,?ree mon?s h gone by    
s9ce ?is little *ild ( my he>t w5t  out 
into ! _w1 a /rayl+ 9 ! scanty dress ( a
 booklet4  ,9 t "t _m ?\s&s h look$     
k9dly on ! little  w&]] & welcom$ x into

 _! homes4  ,lett]s f ev]y:]e  h come 91
 say+ 9 effect3 ,x came to my door      
ye/]day1 &  its voice has be5 sweet to  
me1 & ,i am glad to h x /ay )  me4  ,=  
all ?is ,i am mo/ ?ankful4  ,b x is h>d 
to realize  t ! small circle ( ^? :o    
lov$ ?is /ory a few mon?s  ago has gr[n 
n[ to a multitude4    ,surely none ( u  
ought to be surpris$ t our /ory has     
itself  gr[n "u all ?is k9dness1 aft] ! 
mann] ( *ildr54  ,inde$1 z we are s5d+ x
 =? newly clo!d1 ,i f9d t x is  l>g] by 
half ?an :5 ,i la/ prep>$ x = j\rney+4  
,i am set to wond]+ :e!r x w n gr[ q    
away f me  & h a life ( its own4        
,heal?y *ildr5 d t v ?+  usually1 & wise
 p>5ts are will+ to h x s4    ,b ,i _c  
cease to rememb] t ?is /ory is out ( my 
own  life4  ,x lay 9 my he>t unborn =   
long4  ,x came =? 9 a "t  ( %ock & pa94 
,!re is ,"o :o kn[s :y its face is      
unm>r$  & bright ) ! gladness ( tru/4   
,i ?9k ,god has let x  speak to s _m    
he>ts = ?is reason4    ,g !n1 little    
/ory2 be be>] ( ?y message ( *e] & glad 

re/fulness4  ,i _c foll[ !e into lives t
 ne$ to he> ?y  voice2 b speak ?\ to !m1
 & ,i %all be cont5t4    ,yet ,i "k1    
fri5ds ( m9e1 t z y look up some:]e 9 ! 
_w f ^! pages1 y w want to ask me a "q4 
,x has be5 ask$ & answ]$ _m times       
already4  ,because ,i "k  "s ( y are 9  
sick-rooms1 "s are lonely & "s          
companion$  by grief1 "s are poor & "s =
 ! "t are misund]/ood1  "s are disc\rag$
 & "s feel !mselves little lov$1 "s  are
 "y & _c f9d _! way1 & "s are old &     
wayworn1--because ,i "k all ( y h ne$ ( 
! ,%eph]d's  wat*1 ,i want to answ] y\r 
"q4  ,yes1 we did inde$ h  su* a gue/1 a
 man ^: home 0 among ! ,syrian %eph]ds1 
a  man :o well knew ! life :i* rightly  
int]prets ! ,%eph]d  ,psalm4    ,i give 
my ^w t ?is /ory's message ab\t !       
,psalm's mean+  is /raight f ,david's   
l&4  ,we _h su* a gue/ & he told u  ^!  
?+s out ( ! life ( 8 p1 z we sat toge!r 
"o  night ov] fragrant cups ( tea4      
,w4 ,a4 ,k4    ,bo/on1 ,janu>y1 #aijd4  
,c !re be any?+ m poetic ?an ?is life ( 

! ,syrian  %eph]d8  ,x ought to be      
religi\s1 too4  ,f>1 f> away1 out on  ! 
lone m\nta91 ) ! ev]la/+ hills ar\nd1 & 
heav5  above1 pure1 blue1 & high1 &     
/ill4  ,!re g & wor%ip 9  solemn sil5ce 
& s\l-subdu+ solitude1 wor%ip ! ,mo/    
,high  ,god 9 8 temple n made ) h&s4    
,& n[ ! lights are out 9 ! village1 !   
%eph]ds are asleep  by ! side ( _!      
flocks1 ! t9kl+ bell f ! fold falls     
fa9tly on ! /ill night air1 & ! wat*-dog
 bays dr[sily  f 8 k5nel at ! gate4     
,good night1 fair _w2 'tis "t to  seek  
repose4  ,let u fir/ read & m$itate ^u t
 delightful  *apt]1 ! t5? ( ,/4 ,john1  
:]e our bless$ ,savi\r  appropriates all
 ^! *>act]s ( a good %eph]d to himself4 
,! ,l& & ! ,book4          ,faduel      
,moghabghab1 said our gue/1 laugh+ z he 
lean$ ov] !  tea-table t[>d two little  
maids1 va9ly try+ to beguile _!  will+ &
 sweetly puck]$ lips into pron\nc+ 8 "n4
  ,faduel ,moghabghab1 he repeat$ 9     
syllables1 po9t+ to ! c>d  he _h pass$  
to !m4  ,acc5t ! u & drop ^? g's :i* y\r

  little ?roats _c manage1 he w5t on    
k9dly1 :ile !  m]rim5t sp>kl$ 9 8 d>k   
eyes1 & 8 milk-:ite tee?1 se5  ?r\gh 8  
black m\/a*e z he laugh$1 add$ beauty to
 8  delicate & vivaci\s face4    ,he 0 a
 man ( w9some m9d1 ?is ,syrian gue/ (   
ours1 & !  spirituality ( 8 culture 0 z 
m>k$ z ! ref9em5t ( 8  mann]s4  ,we %all
 long rememb] him = ! tales told t  ev5+
 ( 8 home 9 ,a9zehalta on ! slope ( !   
,syrian  m\nta9s1 b longe/ ( all = :at  
he said out ( ! memories  ( 8 y\? ab\t a
 %eph]d song4    ,x 0 out ( ! %eph]d    
life ( my c\ntry1 he rem>k$1 t  !re came
 long ago t sweete/ religi\s song ev]   
writt5--!  ,tw5ty-?ird ,psalm4    ,aft] 
! ripple ( 8 m]rim5t ) ! *ildr5 _h pass$
 he  turn$ to me ) a face n[ s]i\s &    
p5sive1 & said3 ,ah1 s  _m ?+s famili>  
to u are /range to y ( ,am]ica4    ,yes1
 ,i answ]$1 & no d\bt because ( ?is we  
(t5 make  mi/akes :i* are m s]i\s ?an   
mispronunciation ( y\r  mod]n names4    
,he smil$ pleasantly1 !n ) e>ne/ness    
said3 ,s _m ?+s  9 ! life ( my p1 ! same

 n[ z 9 ! days ( old1 h  be5 wov5 into !
 words ( ! ,bible & into ! conceptions (
  religi\s ideas z express$ !re2 y ( !  
,we/]n _w1 n  kn[+ ^! ?+s z !y are1 (t5 
misund]/& :at is  writt51 or at lea/    
fail to get a correct impression f x4   
,tell u ab\t "s ( ^!1 ,i v5tur$1 ) a    
p>5tal glance  at two li/5+ little      
faces4    ,aft] m5tion+ sev]al in/ances1
 he w5t on3 ,& !re is !  %eph]d psalm3  
,i f9d t x is tak5 among y z hav+ two   
p>ts1 ! fir/ "u ! figure ( %eph]d life1 
! second  turn+ to ! figure ( a banquet 
) ! ho/ & ! gue/4    ,oh1 we h talk$    
ab\t t1 said my lady ( ! teacups z %e   
dangl$ ! tea-ball ) a connoisseur's     
fondness1 & we h  ev5 said t we wi%$ !  
wond]ful little psalm c\ld h be5  f9i%$ 
9 ! "o figure ( %eph]d life4    ,x seems
 to u1 ,i add$1 wi%+ to give suitable   
support to my  lady's r brave decl>ation
 ( our s5se ( a lit]>y flaw 9  !        
mat*less psalm1 x seems to u to lose !  
sweet1 simple  melody & to close )      
/range1 heavy *ords :5 x *anges to a    

sc5e ( banquet hospitality4  ,d y mean t
 x actually keeps  ! %eph]d figure to ! 
end8    ,c]ta9ly1 good fri5ds4    ,) ke5
 p]sonal int]e/ ,i ask$ him to tell u h[
 we might see  x z a %eph]d psalm       
?r\gh\t4  ,s we li/5$ & he talk$1  ov] !
 cool+ teacups4    ,x is all1 all a     
simple %eph]d psalm1 he began4  ,see h[ 
x  runs ?r\gh ! r\nd ( %eph]d life f    
fir/ ^w to la/4    ,) s(tly modulat$    
voice t _h ! rhy?m ( music & !  hu% (   
v5]ation 9 x1 he quot$3 ',! ,"l is my   
%eph]d2 ,i  %all n want4'    ,!re is !  
op5+ /ra9 ( its music2 9 t *ord is s\nd$
  ! keynote :i* is nev] lo/ till !      
pla9tive melody dies away  at ! song's  
end4  ,all t foll[s is t ?\ght put 9    
v>y+  light4    ,i wi% x 7 possible to  
reproduce "h ! light 9 8 face &  !      
int]*ange ( tones 9 8 mell[ voice z he  
w5t on4  ,he  talk$ ( h[ ! v>i$ ne$s ( !
 %eep & ! _m-sid$ c>e  ( ! %eph]d are   
pictur$ ) ma/]ly t\* 9 ! %ort  s5t5ces (
 ! psalm4    ,ea* is di/9ct & adds      
some?+ too preci\s to be m]g$ &  lo/1 he

 said4    ',he make? me to lie d[n 9    
gre5 pa/ures1'--n\ri%m5t1  re/4  ',he   
leade? me beside ! /ill wat]s1'--! sc5e 
*anges & s does ! mean+4  ,y ?9k "h (   
quietly fl[+  /reams2 s y get "o m      
picture ( re/2 b y miss "o (  ! f9e/    
sc5es 9 %eph]d life & "o ( ! r>e/       
bless+s  ( ! s\l t is l$ ( ,god4  ,all  
?r\gh ! day's roam+ !  %eph]d keeps "o  
?+ 9 m9d4  ,he mu/ lead 8 flock to a    
dr9k+-place4  ,! refre%m5t ( good wat]  
makes ! covet$  h\r ( all ! day2 ! spot 
:]e x is f\nd amid ! r\gh1  wat]less    
hills & pla9s is ! cr[n+ tok5 ( !       
%eph]d's  unfail+ ?\ghtfulness4  ,:5 at 
la/ ! %eep are l$ 'beside  ! /ill       
wat]s1' h[ good x is1 aft] ! du/ & heat 
( !  %eep-walks6    ,w\ld y get ! %eph]d
 mean+ "h8  ,!n rememb] t  /reams are   
few 9 ! %eph]d c\ntry ( ,bible l&s4  ,! 
%eph]ds d n rely on !m4  ,ev5 :]e /reams
 are f\nd1 _!  b$s & banks are usually  
brok5 & _! fl[ r\gh4  ,%eep are  timid &
 fe> a curr5t ( wat]1 z !y well may = !y
 are  easily c>ri$ d[n /ream because (  

_! wool4    ,poor ?+s1 h[ d !y ev] get a
 good dr9k8 exclaim$ "o (  ! two little 
maids1 ^: he>t 0 always op5 lov+ly  to  
animals4    ,! %eph]d sees to t1 doesn't
 he8 said ! o!r timidly1  ) e>ne/ eyes  
set on our gue/4    ,8 face beam$ )     
w9some reli% ( ^! tributes to 8         
success4  ,yes1 ! %eep w\ld inde$ h a   
h>d "t f9d+  wat] to dr9k1 7 x n t !    
%eph]d sees to t4    ,! playfulness fad$
 f 8 eyes & ! %ad[ ( manhood's  ye>s 0  
!re z he said to me3 ,bro!r1 y & ,i h   
le>n$  h[ mu* is 9 t "q & answ]4  ,h[   
w\ld we get !  refre%m5t we ne$ 9 ! r\gh
 _w1 if ! ,%eph]d did n see  to t8  ,b  
he does1 he does6    ,8 face bright5$   
aga9 z he turn$ to ! f\r blue eyes      
across  ! table4    ,%all ,i tell y h[ !
 %eph]d sees to x t ! %eep h a  good    
dr9k e day8  ,li/53    ,!re are wells & 
f\nta9s all ?r\gh ! va/ regions :]e  !  
flocks roam1 & 9 "s p>ts !re are ci/]ns1
 ?\gh !  %eep l ! liv+ wat] be/4  ,!    
%eph]ds "k :]e ^!  dr9k+-places are all 
?r\gh ! treeless c\ntry :]e /reams  are 

few4  ,x is a f9e sight to see ! %eph]ds
 br+ _!  flocks 'beside ! /ill wat]s' at
 "s well or f\nta91 :ile  ! wide1 sil5t 
c\ntry ov] :i* !y & _m o!r %eep h  w&]$1
 spreads all ar\nd !m1 & ! full expanse 
( ! sky  ar*es ov] !m4    ,! %eph]d     
makes a c]ta9 s\nd2 all 8 %eep lie d[n &
 are  quiet4  ,!n he fills !            
dr9k+-tr\ghs4  ,! bubbl+ ( !  f\nta91 or
 ! curr5t1 if x be by a /ream1 is no    
long] !re  to tr\ble ! %eep4  ,!y c dr9k
 n[ undi/urb$4  ,?is is !  delicate     
mean+ ( t ^w '/ill4'  ,z ! ,hebrew words
 put x1  ',he leade? beside ! wat]s (   
quietness4'    ,!n ! wait+ %eep he> a   
:i/le or a call4  ,!y nev]  misund]/&2  
!y "k _! %eph]d's voice & nev] respond  
to ! wrong %eph]d if sev]al flocks h    
come up toge!r4  ,&  /range/ ( all1 !   
%eep come up by gr\ps2 ! %eph]d makes   
!m und]/&4  ,s 9 gr\ps he leads !m until
 !y /&  'beside ! /ill wat]s4'  ,&1 oh1 
h[ !y dr9k1 ) !  %eph]d /&+ ne>6        
,aft] a pause1 ) a f>-(f look 9 8 eyes1 
he said1 ,x is a  beautiful sc5e1 s     

beautiful t ,/4 ,john has us$ x 9       
pictur+ heav54  ,a smile broke ov] 8    
face z he quot$3 ',!  ,lamb t is 9 !    
mid/ ( ! ?rone %all be _! %eph]d1  &    
%all guide !m unto f\nta9s ( wat]s (    
life4'    ,no "o spoke z he sat turn+ 8 
teacup4  ,a te> />t$ f 8  dropp$ eyes4  
,pres5tly he seem$ to recall himself4   
,b ,i mu/ tell y "o m sc5e t comes to my
 memory  :5ev] ,i read ! words1 'he     
leade? me beside ! /ill  wat]s4'  ,x    
w\ld make a beautiful picture if "s "o  
w\ld  pa9t x4    ,up 9 ! m\nta9sides (  
,lebanon1 :]e my k9sm5 h long  be5      
%eph]ds1 (t5 !re are no regul>          
dr9k+-places1 su* z  ! wells & f\nta9s  
on ! pla9s4  ,b z ! %eph]d leads  8 %eep
 ov] ! r\gh slopes he f9ds _m a spr+ &  
sees its  rivulet noisily d[n a crevice4
  ,8 %eep ne$ wat]4  ,!y _c  dr9k f !   
leap+ little /ream4  ,:at does he d8    
,he f9ds a  suitable turn or nook 9 its 
c\rse2 he walls x up ) a little  dam & s
 holds ! wat] till x =ms a quiet pool4  
,!n1 "r  !re on ! op5 hills1 he leads 8 

%eep 'beside ! /ill  wat]s4'  ,i "k (   
no?+ m fit to picture ! ,%eph]d's  c>e (
 s\ls t tru/ him ?an t sc5e up !re on ! 
m\nta9side4    ,:ile our ?\ghts 7 c>ri$ 
away to ^! sc5es ( ?ir/y  flocks dr9k+1 
,i *anc$ to notice t ! tea-ball 0 aga9  
quietly at "w4  ,z we sat ?9k+ on t     
picture up 9 !  m\nta91 a good h& (f]$  
our gue/ a fre% cup4  ,he receiv$  x ) a
 l[ b[1 sipp$ x 9 quiet1 !n ) a grateful
 smile  began speak+ aga93    ',he      
re/ore? my s\l4'  ,y "k1 he said1 turn+ 
to me1  t s\l means ! life or "o's self 
9 ! ,hebrew writ+s4    ,!n address+ u   
all he w5t on3 ,!re are p]il\s places = 
! %eep on all sides1 & !y seem nev] to  
le>n to avoid !m4  ,! %eph]d mu/ ev] be 
on ! wat*4  ,& !re are private  fields &
 sometimes g>d5s & v9ey>ds "h & !re 9 ! 
%eph]d c\ntry2 if ! %eep /ray into !m & 
be caught !re  x is =feit$ to ! own] ( !
 l&4  ,s1 'he re/ore? my  s\l' means1   
',! %eph]d br+s me back & rescues me f  
fatal  & =bidd5 places4'    ',re/ores me
 :5 w&]+1' is ! way x is put 9 "o ( our 

hymns1 ,i int]pos$4    ,ah1 sir1 t is x 
exactly1 he answ]$1 're/ores me :5      
w&]+6'    ',he leade? me 9 ! pa?s (     
righte\sness = 8 "n's  sake4'  ,(t5 h ,i
 roam$ ?r\gh ! %eph]d c\ntry 9 my  y\? &
 se5 h[ h>d x is to *oose ! "r pa? = !  
%eep2 "o leads to a precipice1 ano!r to 
a place :]e ! %eep  _c f9d ! way back2 &
 ! %eph]d 0 always go+ ahead1  'lead+'  
!m 9 ! "r pa?s1 pr\d ( 8 good "n z a    
%eph]d4    ,"s pa?s t are "r pa?s /ill  
lead ?r\gh places t  h deadly p]ils4    
',yea1 ?\gh ,i walk ?r\gh ! valley ( !  
%ad[ ( dea?1' is ! way ! psalm t\*es ?is
 fact 9  %eph]d life4  ,?is way ( nam+ !
 valley is v true to our  c\ntry4  ,i   
rememb] "o ne> my home call$ '! valley (
  robb]s1' & ano!r1 '! rav9e ( ! rav54' 
,y see '!  valley ( ! %ad[ ( dea?' is a 
"n drawn f my c\ntry's  old cu/om4      
',= ?\ art ) me4'  ,ah1 h[ c\ld m be put
 into few words6  ,) ! %eep1 x matt]s n 
:at ! surr\nd+s are1 nor h[  great !    
p]ils & h>d%ips2 if only ! %eph]d is )  
!m1  !y are cont5t4  ,!re is no f9]     

picture ( ! way ( peace  = ! tr\bl$ 9   
all ! _w4    ,to %[ h[ mu* ! pres5ce ( !
 %eph]d c\nts = !  welf>e ( ! %eep ,i c 
?9k ( no?+ bett] ?an ! /range  ?+ ,i n[ 
tell y4  ,x is q beyond ! usual1 daily  
c>e on  :i* ! flock dep5ds s fondly4  ,b
 ,i h se5 x m ?an  once4    ,sometimes1 
9 spite ( all ! c>e ( ! %eph]d & 8 dogs1
  a wolf w get into ! v mid/ ( ! flock4 
,! %eep are  wild ) fright4  ,!y run &  
leap & make x impossible to get  at !   
foe 9 _! mid/1 :o at t v mom5t may be   
fa/5+  8 tee? 9 ! ?roat ( a helpless    
memb] ( ! flock4  ,b !  %eph]d is ) !m4 
,he kn[s :at to d ev5 at su* a "t4  ,he 
leaps to a rock or hillock t he may be  
se5 & he>d4   ,!n  he lifts 8 voice 9 a 
long call1 some?+ l a wolf's cry3       
',ooh6 ooh6'    ,on he>+ ?is1 ! %eep    
rememb] ! %eph]d2 !y he$ 8  voice2 &1   
/range to tell1 ! poor1 timid creatures1
 :i* 7  helpless ) t]ror be=e1 in/antly 
ru% ) all _! /r5g?  into a solid mass4  
,! pressure is irresi/ible2 ! wolf is   
ov]come2 frequ5tly he is cru%$ to dea?1 

:ile ! %eph]d  /&s !re on a rock cry+1  
',ooh6 ooh6'  ',i w fe> no evil3  = art 
) me4'    ,he paus$1 look+ que/ion+ly at
 "o & ano!r4    ,yes1 ,i said at la/1 '9
 all ^! ?+s we are m ?an  conqu]ors     
?r\gh him t lov$ u4'  ,he b[$ 8         
satisfaction  9 sil5ce4    ',?y rod & ?y
 /aff'--?is also is true to life2 !     
d\ble  expression cov]s ! :ole r\nd (   
protect+ c>e4  ,= !  %eph]ds c>ry a     
crook = guid+ ! %eep & a weapon suitable
  = def5d+ !m1 ! rod & ! /aff2 "o = aid+
 !m 9  places ( ne$ along peaceful ways1
 ! o!r = def5se 9 p]ils  ( robb]s & wild
 bea/s4  ,?is say+ describes ) ! ease ( 
ma/]y h[ mu* ^? words mean1 ',?\ art )  
me4'    ,& :at %all ,i say ( ! next     
words1 ',?y rod & ?y /aff  !y com=t me'8
  ,ah1 madam1 y %\ld see ! %eep cuddle  
ne>  ! %eph]d to und]/& t ^w1 ',!y com=t
 me4' ,!  %eph]d's call ',ta-a-a-a1     
ho-o-o1' & ! answ]+ patt] (  feet z !   
%eep hurry to him1 are fit s\nds to be  
*os5 out (  ! noisy _w to %[ :at com=t  
,god gives to s\ls t he$  8 voice2 & ^? 

s\nds h be5 he>d 9 my c\ntry ?is day  z 
!y 7 ! day ?is %eph]d psalm 0 writt56   
,he sat 9 sil5ce a mom5t mus+ z if !    
s\nd 7 9 8 e>4    ,) quiet animation he 
lift$ 8 ?9 h& & cont9u$3 ,n[  "h is :]e 
y drop ! %eph]d figure & put 9 a banquet
 &  s lose ! f9e climax ( complet5ess 9 
! %eph]d's c>e4    ,x ne$ n be said t we
 7 eag] li/5]s n[1 = our gue/  0 all    
agl[ ) memories ( 8 f>-(f homel& & we   
felt  t we 7 ab\t to see new rays (     
light fla% f ?is r>e/  gem 9 !          
song-treasury ( ! _w4    ',?\ prep>e/ a 
table be=e me 9 ! pres5ce ( m9e         
enemies4'  ,9 ! same hu%$ voice 9 :i* he
 quot$ ^!  words he add$3 ,ah1 to ?9k t 
! %eph]d's highe/ skill &  h]oism %\ld  
be lo/ f view z ! psalm beg9s to s+ ( x1
  & only an indoor banquet ?\ght (6     
,aga9 he sat a little "t  9 quiet4  ,!n 
he said3    ,! ^w = table "h means      
simply 'some?+ spread out' & s  a prep>$
 meal1 h[ev] x is set =?4  ,!re is no   
high] task  ( ! %eph]d 9 my c\ntry ?an  
to g f "t to "t to /udy  places & exam9e

 ! grass & f9d a good & safe fe$+-place 
= 8 %eep4  ,all 8 skill & (t5 great     
h]oism are call$  =4  ,!re are _m       
poison\s plants 9 ! grass & ! %eph]d    
mu/ f9d & avoid !m4  ,! %eep w n eat    
c]ta9 poison\s  ?+s1 b !re are "s :i* !y
 w eat1 "o k9d (  poison\s grass 9      
p>ticul>4  ,a c\s9 ( m9e once lo/ ?ree  
hundr$ %eep by a mi/ake 9 ?is h>d task4 
,!n !re are snake holes 9 "s k9ds (     
gr\nd1 &1 if !y  be n driv5 away1 !     
snakes bite ! noses ( ! %eep4  ,!       
%eph]d sometimes burns ! fat ( hogs     
along ! gr\nd to d  ?is4  ,sometimes !  
%eph]d f9ds gr\nd :]e moles h work$  _! 
holes j "u ! surface4  ,snakes lie 9 ^! 
holes )  _! heads /ick+ up ready to bite
 ! graz+ %eep4  ,!  %eph]ds "k h[ to    
drive !m away z !y g along ahead ( !    
%eep4    ,& ar\nd ! fe$+-gr\nd :i* !    
%eph]d ?us prep>es1 9  holes & caves 9 !
 hillsides !re are jackals1 wolves1     
hy5as1  & pan!rs1 too1 & ! brav]y &     
skill ( ! %eph]d are at  ! highe/ po9t 9
 clos+ up ^! d5s ) /ones or slay+  !    

wild bea/s ) 8 long-blad$ knife4  ,(    
no?+ d y he>  %eph]ds boa/+ m pr\dly ?an
 ( _! a*ievem5ts 9 ?is  "p ( _! c>e (   
flocks4    ,& n[1 he exclaim$ ) a beam+ 
c\nt5ance & suppress$  feel+1 z if      
plead+ = recognition ( ! lone %eph]d's  
brave/ act ( devotion to 8 %eep1 & n[ d 
y n see !  %eph]d figure 9 t qua9t l9e1 
',?\ prep>e/ a table  be=e me 9 !       
pres5ce ( m9e enemies'8    ,yes1 ,i     
answ]$2 & ,i see t ,god's c>e ( a man   
out 9 !  _w is a gr&] ?\ght ?an t (     
seat+ him at an indoor  banquet-table4  
,b :at ab\t ano9t+ ! head ) oil & ! cup 
runn+  ov]8  ,g on1 my fri5d4    ,oh1   
!re beg9s ! beautiful picture at ! end (
 ! day4  ,!  psalm has sung ( ! :ole    
r\nd ( ! day's w&]+1 all !  ne$s ( !    
%eep1 all ! c>e ( ! %eph]d4  ,n[ ! psalm
  closes ) ! la/ sc5e ( ! day4  ,at !   
door1 ( !  %eepfold ! %eph]d /&s & '!   
rodd+ ( ! %eep' takes  place4  ,! %eph]d
 /&s1 turn+ 8 body to let ! %eep  pass2 
he is ! door1 z ,*ri/ said ( himself4   
,) 8 rod he  holds back ! %eep :ile he  

inspects !m "o by1 "o z !y  pass into ! 
fold4  ,he has ! horn fill$ ) olive-oil 
& he  has c$>-t>1 & he ano9ts a knee    
bruis$ on ! rocks or a side  scrat*$ by 
?orns4  ,& "h comes "o t is n bruis$ b  
is  simply worn & exhau/$2 he ba!s its  
face & head ) !  refre%+ olive-oil & he 
takes ! l>ge two-h&l$ cup &  dips x     
brimm+ full f ! vessel ( wat] provid$ = 
t  purpose1 & he lets ! we>y %eep dr9k4 
,!re is no?+ f9] 9 ! psalm ?an ?is4     
,god's c>e is n  = ! w\nd$ only1 b = !  
worn & we>y also4  ',?\  ano9te/ my head
 ) oil2 my cup runne? ov]4'    ,& !n1 :5
 ! day is done & ! %eep are snug )9 !   
fold1 :at cont5tm5t1 :at re/ "u ! />ry  
sky6  ,!n comes  ! ?\ght ( deepe/ repose
 & com=t3 ',surely goodness &  m]cy %all
 foll[ me all ! days ( my life1' z !y h 
?r\gh all ! w&]+s ( ! day n[ end$4    ,!
 song dies away z ! he>t t ,god has     
wat*$ & t5d$  brea!s ?is grateful v[    
be=e ! roam+ ( ! day is  =gott5 9 sleep3
 ',i w--n %all1 b w2 = x is a  decision1
 a settl$ purpose1 a holy v[--',i w     

dwell 9 ! h\se  ( ! ,"l = ev]4'  ,& !   
song ends1 & ! %eep are at  re/1 safe 9 
! good %eph]d's fold4    ,d y wond] t   
ev] s9ce t night we h call$ ?is psalm   
,! ,song ( ,our ,syrian ,gue/8          
,sidelights      ,%eph]d ,life 9 ,bible 
,l&s    ,,pr(essor ,,george ,e4 ,,po/   
,! ,am]ican ,college1 ,bayr\t1 ,syria   
,! same regions :i* furni%$ ! va/ flocks
 9 anci5t times  are /ill not$ = _!     
%eep4  ,all ! plateaus ea/ ( !  ,jordan 
& ! m\nta9s ( ,pale/9e & ,syria are     
pa/ure-gr\nds  = innum]able flocks &    
h]ds4  ,!y require wat] b once a  day1  
&1 :]e !y _c get x f p]5nial /reams1 !y 
f9d x 9 ! innum]able wells1 f\nta9s &   
ci/]ns4  ,!  desc5dants ( ! same %eph]ds
 :o t5d$ flocks 9 ,bible days  /ill     
occupy ! great %eepwalks ( ,pale/9e4    
,! c>e ( %eep is ! subject ( frequ5t    
allusion 9  ,scripture4  ,! %eph]d leads
 7n drives7 !m to pa/ure &  wat] 7,ps4  
#bc2 #gg3bj2 #gh3eb2 #hj3a72 protects !m
 at ! risk (  8 life 7,john #aj3ae74    
,to keep !m f ! cold & ra9 &  bea/s1 he 

collects !m 9 caves 7#a ,sam4 #bd3c7 or 
enclosures built  ( r\gh /ones 7,num4   
#cb3af2 ,judg4 #e3af2 ,zeph4 #b3f2 ,john
 #aj3a74  ,! %eep "k _! %eph]d1 & he$ 8 
voice 7,john #aj3d74  ,x  is "o ( ! mo/ 
int]e/+ spectacles to see a numb] (     
flocks  ( ?ir/y %eep br\ght by _! sev]al
 %eph]ds to be wat]$  at a f\nta94  ,ea*
 flock1 9 ob$i5ce to ! call ( its own   
%eph]d1 lies d[n1 await+ its turn4  ,!  
%eph]d ( "o flock  calls 8 %eep 9       
squads1 draws wat] = !m1 p\rs x into !  
tr\ghs1 &1 :5 ! squad has done1 ord]s x 
away by s\nds  :i* ! %eep p]fectly      
und]/&1 & calls up ano!r squad4  ,:5 !  
:ole ( "o flock is wat]$1 its %eph]d    
signals to x1  & ! %eep rise & move     
leisurely away1 :ile ano!r flock  comes 
9 a simil> mann] to ! tr\ghs1 & s on1   
until all !  flocks are wat]$4  ,! %eep 
nev] make any mi/ake z to :o  :i/les to 
!m or calls to !m4  ',!y "k n ! voice ( 
/rang]s' 7,john #aj3e74  ,sometimes !y  
are call$ by names 7,john  #aj3c74      
,syrian %eep are usually :ite 7,ps4     

#adg3af2 ,isa4 #a3ah2 ,dan4  #g3i71 b "s
 are br[n 7,g54 #cj3cb-db2 ,revis$      
,v]sion 'black'74  ,no animal m5tion$ 9 
,scripture comp>es 9 symbolical int]e/  
& importance ) ! %eep4   ,x is allud$ to
 ab\t five  hundr$ times4          ,!   
,s++ ,pilgrim    ,a ,,*>act]ization ,,( 
,,! ,,tw5ty-,,?ird ,,psalm    ,,h5ry    
,,w>d ,,bee*]    ,! ,tw5ty-?ird ,psalm  
is ! night+ale ( ! psalms4  ,x is       
small1 ( a homely fea!r1 s++ %yly out ( 
obscurity2 b1  oh1 x has fill$ ! air ( !
 :ole _w ) melodi\s joy1  great] ?an !  
he>t c conceive6  ,bless$ be ! day on   
:i*  t psalm 0 born6    ,:at w\ld y say 
( a pilgrim commission$ ( ,god to travel
 up  & d[n ! e>? s++ a /range melody1   
:i*1 :5 once  he>d1 caus$ him to =get   
:atev] sorr[ he _h8  ,& s !  s++ angel  
goes on 8 way ?r\gh all l&s1 s++ 9 !    
language ( e nation1 driv+ away tr\ble  
by ! pulses ( !  air :i* 8 tongue moves 
) div9e p[]4  ,behold j su* an  "o6     
,?is pilgrim ,god has s5t to speak 9 e  
language on !  globe4  ,x has *>m$ m    

griefs to re/ ?an all ! philosophy  ( ! 
_w4  ,x has rem&$ to _! dungeon m felon 
?\ghts1 m black d\bts1 m ?iev+ sorr[s1  
?an !re are  s&s on ! sea%ore4  ,x has  
com=t$ ! noble ho/ ( !  poor4  ,x has   
sung c\rage to ! army ( ! disappo9t$4   
,x has  p\r$ balm & consolation into !  
he>t ( ! sick1 ( captives  9 dungeons1 (
 wid[s 9 _! p9*+ griefs1 ( orphans 9  _!
 lonel9ess4  ,dy+ soldi]s h di$ easi] z 
x 0 read  to !m2 gha/ly hospitals h be5 
illum9at$2 x has visit$  ! prison] &    
brok5 8 *a9s1 &1 l ,pet]'s angel1 l$    
him =? 9 imag9ation1 & sung him back to 
8 home aga94  ,x  has made ! dy+        
,*ri/ian slave fre] ?an 8 ma/]1 &       
consol$ ^? :om1 dy+1 he left beh9d1     
m\rn+ n s mu*  t he 0 gone z because !y 
7 left beh9d & c\ld n g  too4    ,nor is
 its "w done4  ,x w g on s++ to y\r     
*ildr5 &  my *ildr51 & to _! *ildr51    
?r\gh all ! g5]ations (  "t2 nor w x    
fold its w+s till ! la/ pilgrim is safe1
 &  "t end$2 & !n x %all fly back to !  
bosom ( ,god1 :5ce  x issu$1 & s\nd on1 

m+l$ ) all ^? s\nds ( cele/ial  joy :i* 
make heav5 musical =ev]4