I can hardly believe that I have not done this old favourite yet! The Lord’s My Shepherd. Based off Psalm 23. My oh my, I do hope you enjoy this one. 🙂
We don’t know a whole lot about this hymn other than it is sung to several tunes…I personally know three tunes, but there are more since as I was searching I ran into an unfamiliar one.
According to Discipleship Ministries, Calvin had Psalm 23 put to a variety of metrical tunes to facilitate people learning it well.
Lyrics
The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want.
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.
My soul He doth restore again;
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
Even for His own name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me; and Thy rod
And staff my comfort still.
My table Thou hast furnishèd
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me;
And in God’s house forevermore
My dwelling place shall be.
This is a favorite of many, isn’t it? The words are so beautiful, painting a lovely image full of comfort and care. I don’t know these melodies for it, though. I know a couple of other melodies but these are pretty. I especially like the first video you have of the Amish-Mennonite Choir.
I love that there are so many different tunes to tunes (unless I want to belt out a favourite and they are singing some odd tune!) but it means that people can enjoy a song to a tune that works for them.