The Lord My Pasture Shall Prepare
The Lord my pasture shall prepare
The Lord My Pasture Shall Prepare is a hymn text by Joseph Addison (1712) in L.M. meter. Found in h82 663, lw 370, tlh 368. Sung to CONSOLATOR.
This hymn emphasizes God's providential care and pastoral guidance, central to Lutheran theology's doctrine of God's sustaining grace. The text comforts believers with assurance of divine protection through life's journey toward eternal peace.
History & Background
Joseph Addison composed this paraphrase of Psalm 23 for The Spectator in 1712, and it was published in his collected works. The hymn represents an 18th-century English adaptation of the beloved psalm for congregational singing.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Hymnal 1982 — 663
- Lutheran Worship — 370
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 368
Bulletin Note
Written by Joseph Addison in 1712, this hymn paraphrases Psalm 23 with Reformation confidence in God's providence. Its enduring power lies in rendering the psalmist's ancient comfort in language that speaks directly to the soul facing life's uncertainties.
Preaching Connection
This hymn voices the Gospel's answer to every anxiety: Christ the Shepherd has already prepared the way, already secured our eternal home, transforming fear into childlike trust in God's sustaining grace.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law convicts of spiritual desolation; Gospel reveals Christ as eternal Comforter through mercy, grace, and sacramental sustenance
Background Research
TLH 368. Joseph Addison's Psalm 23 paraphrase, closing his essay in The Spectator no. 441 (26 July 1712). The essay begins by calling man "a very helpless and a very wretched Being" and finds comfort in trusting God, "one who directs Contingencies". Addison calls Psalm 23 "a kind of Pastoral Hymn" (Canterbury Dictionary). One of a handful of Spectator hymns, alongside "The spacious firmament on high" and "When all Thy mercies, O my God". Henry Carey and others set it early (IMSLP Psalm 23, Carey). Hymnary's text title is "The Good Shepherd"; the LDS hymnal has a version too ("will prepare").
Overview
Joseph Addison's paraphrase of Psalm 23, published in The Spectator (1712) — Augustan English at its most elegant ('sultry glebe,' 'dewy meads,' 'verdant landscape'). The Lord prepares pasture and guards day and night (st. 1); leads the fainting to peaceful waters (st. 2); is with me in the paths of death (st. 3); and makes the barren wilderness smile (st. 4).
Central theme: The Good Shepherd's care in every condition — hunger, weariness, death and desolate places
Structure
Four six-line long-meter stanzas following Ps 23:1-4.
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: provision, guidance, presence in death, bounty in the wilderness. Law implied in 'gloomy horrors,' 'barren wilderness.'
Confessional Connections
Ps 23 (TLH's text). Christian reading identifies the Shepherd with Christ, 'the good shepherd [who] lays down his life' (John 10:11) — Addison does not name Christ, but the Lutheran use supplies it. St. 3: 'Thou, O Lord, art with me still' — God's presence in death (LC Lord's Prayer VII). St. 4: the wilderness made to bloom (Isa 35:1) — the First Article's providence (SC: 'gives me… all I need to support this body and life').
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Second Sunday after Easter (Good Shepherd); funerals; trust; Trinity season.
Historical Notes
Addison (1672-1719), essayist and co-founder of The Spectator, published it in No. 441 (July 26, 1712), with an essay on trust in God.
About the Tune
SURREY (Henry Carey, 1723, alt.).
Scripture References
Ps 23:1-4 John 10:11 Ps 121:4-6 Isa 40:11 Isa 49:10 Ps 23:4 Heb 13:5 Isa 35:1-2 Isa 41:18
Stanza by Stanza
The Lord will prepare my pasture and feed me with a shepherd's care; his presence will supply my needs and guard me with a watchful eye; he will accompany my walks at noon and defend all my midnight hours.
'The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures' (Ps 23:1-2). 'He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep… The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night' (Ps 121:4-6).
- Scripture
- Ps 23:1-2, Ps 121:4-6, John 10:11
- Imagery & language
- Pasture; shepherd's care; noonday and midnight.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — providence.
- Connection to previous
- Pasture.
When I faint in the scorching field or pant on the thirsty mountain, he leads my weary, wandering steps to fertile valleys and dewy meadows, where peaceful rivers flow softly and slowly through the green landscape.
'He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul' (Ps 23:2-3). 'By springs of water he will guide them' (Isa 49:10).
- Scripture
- Ps 23:2-3, Isa 49:10, Isa 40:11
- Imagery & language
- Sultry glebe; thirsty mountain; vales; rivers.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — restoration.
- Connection to previous
- Still waters.
Though I walk in the paths of death, overspread with gloomy horrors, my steadfast heart will fear no evil, for you, Lord, are still with me; your friendly staff will help me and guide me through the dreadful shadow.
'Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me' (Ps 23:4). 'I will never leave you' (Heb 13:5).
- Scripture
- Ps 23:4, Heb 13:5
- Imagery & language
- Paths of death; no fear; friendly crook.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — death's shadow; Gospel — God with me.
- Connection to previous
- Shadow of death.
Though I wander on a bare, rough road through winding, lonely wilds, your generosity will relieve my pains; the barren wilderness will smile, crowned with sudden green and grass, and streams will murmur all around.
'The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom' (Isa 35:1). 'I will make the wilderness a pool of water' (Isa 41:18). 'You prepare a table before me' (Ps 23:5).
- Scripture
- Isa 35:1-2, Isa 41:18, Ps 23:5
- Imagery & language
- Rugged way; wilderness smiling; streams.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — bounty in desolation.
- Connection to previous
- Wilderness blooms.
Themes
Divine providence Pastoral care Trust in God Eternal life Comfort