The King of Love My Shepherd Is, ELW 502
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 spread’st a table in my sight;
Thy unction grace bestoweth;
And O 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
I’ve heard this hymn sung by great choirs, by faithful congregations and by grieving family members. My favorite version, though, is when my five-year-old nephew sings it as he drives his matchbox cars around the living room. Even though he probably doesn’t understand the depth of what he’s singing, when I hear him sing it, I know that he is growing in a faith that will sustain him in the years ahead.
The song is about God’s abiding presence, our desperate need for Him, and a promise that even through “death’s dark vale,” there is a cross to guide us.
I would argue that within this hymn is the entirety of the good news of the Gospel. No wonder great choirs want to sing it, faithful congregations love it, grieving family members are comforted by it, and even five-year-old boys playing with matchbox cars can wade into its streams of living waters. Thanks be to God.
Prayer
Loving God, you guide us and lead us down so many different paths. We give you thanks today for a faithfulness that speaks to us in each one of them. Amen.