Feed thy people with thy rod. The prophet prays to the Shepherd of Israel (Genesis 49:24; Psalms 80:1), beseeching him to rule and lead his people, and to find them pasture. The "rod" is the shepherd's staff (Le 27:32; Psalms 23:4).
The flock of thine heritage. So Israel is called (Psalms 28:9; Psalms 95:7; comp. Zephaniah 3:13). Which dwell solitarily; or, so that they dwell; separate from all other nations, religiously and physically, by institution and geo graphical position.
Compare Balaam's words (Numbers 23:9; also Deuteronomy 33:28). It was Israel's special characteristic to be holy, i.e. set apart, and it was only when she observed her duty in this respect that she prospered (see Exodus 33:16).
In the wood (forest) in the midst of Carmel. The forest would isolate the flock, and secure it from interference. The chief pasture lands west and east of Jordan are named, and the whole country is included in the description.
(For Carmel, see note on Amos 1:2.) Bashan and Gilead were also celebrated for their rich pasture. "Bulls of Bashan" were a proverb for well fed animals, and a metaphor for bloated, proud aristocrats (Deuteronomy 32:14; Psalms 22:12; Ezekiel 39:18; Amos 4:1).
Gilead was so excellently adapted for cattle that Reuben and Gad were irresistibly drawn to settle there (Numbers 32:1, Numbers 32:5; 1 Chronicles 5:9; see the parallel to this passage in Isaiah 65:9, Isaiah 65:10, and Ezekiel 34:13, Ezekiel 34:14).
As in the days of old; usually taken to refer to the time of Moses and Joshua, but also and more probably, to that of David and Solomon, which realized the ideal of peace and prosperity (comp. Micah 4:4).