“The King of Love My Shepherd Is,” ELW 502 and LBW 456
1 The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
and he is mine forever.
2 Where streams of living water flow,
my ransomed soul he leadeth
and where the verdant pastures grow,
with food celestial feedeth.
3 Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love he sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing, brought me.
4 In death's dark vale I fear no ill,
with thee, dear Lord, beside me,
thy rod and staff my comfort still;
thy cross before to guide me.
5 Thou spreadst a table in my sight;
thine unction grace bestoweth;
and, oh, what transport of delight
from thy pure chalice floweth!
6 And so, through all the length of days,
thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house forever.
Devotion
This hymn leads us through the very familiar Psalm 23, one known by every person who has grown up in the Christian faith. It is the psalm that is prayed by the dying in the closing moments of life. I have been in the hospital room many times as we have prayed this psalm with family and friends of a loved one who is passing into the church triumphant.
The beauty of the words and the melody of the hymn are linked together in one of the most familiar and loved of all hymns. In it, God is the Good Shepherd -- the shepherd who does not give up on us the lost, who brings our life to ultimate safety in his loving and everlasting arms: “And so, through all the length of days. Thy goodness faileth never. Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise within thy house forever.”
Prayer
God, you are our good shepherd. We sing your praises now and long to sing your praises forever. Mold us into your own image and fold us into your flock. Keep us within your loving care and protection the length of our days, and in your presence eternally. Amen.