The Lord's my shepherd

The Lord's my shepherd is a famous Hymn in England and Scotland, traditionally sung at funerals, but on other occasions too. The text is adapted from Psalm 23 and first appeared in The Scottish Psalter (1650). It is similar, but not the same as hymn The Lord is my shepherd which is also based on Psalm 23. The number of different settings of the Psalm shows its popularity.

Tunes

There are two well-known tunes associated with the hymn:

• Crimond CM a melody by Jessie Seymour Irvine (1836 - 1887).
• Brother James Air CM a melody by James Leith Macbeth Bain (1860 - 1925).

Other tunes include:

• Bel­mont by Will­iam Gar­din­er, (1770 - 1853)
• Evan by Wil­liam H. Hav­er­gal (1793 - 1870)
• Mar­tyr­dom by Hugh Wil­son, (1766 - 1824)
• Or­ling­ton by John Camp­bell (1807 -1860)
• Wilt­shire by George T. Smart (1776 - 1867)

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 a gain, 
and me to walk doth make 
within the paths of righteousness, 
e'en for his own name's sake. 

Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale, 
yet will I fear no ill. 
For though art with me, and thy rod 
and staff me comfort still. 

My table though hast furnished
in presence of my foes: 
my head though dost with oil anoint, 
and my cup over flows. 

Goodness and  mercy all my life 
shall surely follow me. 
And in God's house for ever more
my dwelling place shall be. 

External Links

• Scores and midi files from Cymberhymnal.org
• [2] "Christ of the healing hand" by James Leith Macbeth Bain (1913)