The King of Love My Shepherd Is
The King of love my shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never
A lyrical Christian paraphrase of Psalm 23, identifying the Good Shepherd of the psalm with Christ. The six stanzas follow the psalm closely while adding explicitly Christian imagery: the cross, the Eucharistic feast, and the eternal home. The tune ST. COLUMBA is a hauntingly beautiful Irish melody.
History & Background
Written by Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877), a founding editor of Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861). Baker wrote this as a Christian paraphrase of Psalm 23, based on the Irish melody ST. COLUMBA. He reportedly sang it on his deathbed.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 502
- Gather 4th Edition — 786
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 456
Bulletin Note
The King of Love My Shepherd Is — Henry Williams Baker, 1868
Preaching Connection
Psalm 23 — Christ as the Good Shepherd who restores, guides, and leads to eternal life.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Psalm 23 Christological transformation: establishment of Christ's sovereign care (1-2) → confession of human waywardness and divine retrieval (3) → victory over death through Christ's passion (4) → sacramental communion and eschatological promise (5-6)
Themes
Psalm 23 Good Shepherd Comfort Eucharist