The King of Love, My Shepherd Is, ELW 502 & 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 for ever.
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 spread'st a table in my sight;
thy 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 is a welcoming God, this Lord who is our Shepherd. What I know is that I need a leader, a guide, and a shepherd. When I fail, when I am hungry, when I come to death....I want a shepherd to walk with me. That is what the Psalm promises.
This song explores the depth of our lives. It is a bridge between the faith of the psalmist and the Christ of the cross. It celebrates the table of abundance here on earth, the grace of forgiveness, the clarity of the cross, and the hope of eternal life. The title of the song communicates clearly! The words sing the heart of the Psalm! That is who my Shepherd is! The King of Love! Whatever choir sings it, however it is played, the song rehearses the confession of faith that is at the center of the Psalm.
Prayer
Loving Shepherd, may your song live forever in our hearts. Amen.