This is a setting of Psalm 23 to the beautiful folk tune LOCH LOMOND, a traditional Scottish melody for the folk song “the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond.” While the folk song speaks of longing for a love to return to a beautiful countryland where they can be reunited, its subtext alludes to a final union which is only possible through death. This idea has been focused through a gospel lens in which Jesus – our great and good Shepherd – is the love we long for, who has promised to lead us to beautiful pastures of peace and rest. He accomplished this by leaving the glorious place where he dwelled with his father in eternity and faced the pain and death of the cross, that he might rescue us and bring us to himself.
LyricsVerse 1:
My shepherd will lead by the fresh waters still
Where the pastures welcome the bright sun;
He will lead me in paths of his righteousness and peace
To the river that will take me to Canaan.
Verse 2:
Yea, though I should walk through the valley of death
With my shepherd close I fear no one;
With his rod and his staff he shall comfort and protect
Till the river takes me over to Canaan.
Verse 3:
My shepherd has trod through the dry, barren fields-
To the banks of woe he went freely;
Bore the rod and the wrath till the cup was fully drained,
Through the river he has crossed to redeem me.
Verse 4:
A table is set where I find peace and rest-
There he fills my cup with his radiance;
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow all my days
Then the river we shall cross o'er to Canaan.
Text & Arrangement: David L. Ward, © 2021 Hymnicity
Tune: LOCH LOMOND, Trad. Scottish Folk Melody
CCLI Song #7244215
My shepherd will lead by the fresh waters still
Where the pastures welcome the bright sun;
He will lead me in paths of his righteousness and peace
To the river that will take me to Canaan.
Verse 2:
Yea, though I should walk through the valley of death
With my shepherd close I fear no one;
With his rod and his staff he shall comfort and protect
Till the river takes me over to Canaan.
Verse 3:
My shepherd has trod through the dry, barren fields-
To the banks of woe he went freely;
Bore the rod and the wrath till the cup was fully drained,
Through the river he has crossed to redeem me.
Verse 4:
A table is set where I find peace and rest-
There he fills my cup with his radiance;
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow all my days
Then the river we shall cross o'er to Canaan.
Text & Arrangement: David L. Ward, © 2021 Hymnicity
Tune: LOCH LOMOND, Trad. Scottish Folk Melody
Tune: LOCH LOMOND, Trad. Scottish Folk Melody
CCLI Song #7244215