ErrorException Invalid argument supplied for foreach() when trying to access a static class function

ErrorException Invalid argument supplied for foreach(),Here what i am trying. I can get it working when call all sort methods in controller rather then caliing a sortitems method.

ErrorException Invalid argument supplied for foreach()

// Controller
$items = Item::sortItems($orderBy);

// Model 
static function sortItems($orderBy)
{
    if($orderBy == 'popular'){

        DB::table('items')->orderby('views','desc')->paginate(50);

    }
    elseif ($orderBy == 'lowest-price'){

        DB::table('items')->orderby('price','asc')->paginate(50);

    }

    elseif ($orderBy == 'highest-price'){

        DB::table('items')->orderby('price','desc')->paginate(50);

    }

    else{
        DB::table('items')->orderby('id','desc')->paginate(50);

    }
}
  // View 

  @foreach($items as $row)
     
  @endforeach

via Chebli Mohamed