The Lord My Shepherd Is
The Lord my Shepherd is
The Lord My Shepherd Is is a hymn text by Nathaniel Bacon (1650) in C.M. meter. Found in tlh 426.
This hymn embodies the Lutheran understanding of Christ as the Good Shepherd who provides for, protects, and guides believers through all circumstances of life. It reflects the comfort of the Gospel in its assurance of divine care and the certainty of eternal life despite present trials.
History & Background
Nathaniel Bacon's paraphrase of Psalm 23 was published in the mid-17th century and became a popular metrical version of this beloved psalm. It has been widely used in English-speaking Protestant worship, particularly in Reformed and Presbyterian traditions, and subsequently adopted by Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 426
Bulletin Note
By Nathaniel Bacon (1650), this metrical rendering of Psalm 23 anchors believers in the medieval pastoral theology of Christ as the Good Shepherd—a comfort especially treasured in Lutheran funeral liturgy and at the font.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law's exposure of human vulnerability and mortality, then meets it squarely with the Gospel's proclamation of Christ's unfailing shepherding care—making it a powerful sung response to any proclamation of grace in the face of death or trial.
Overview
Watts's short-meter paraphrase of Psalm 23 (compare Addison's TLH 368). Since he is mine and I am his, what else could I want? (st. 1); heavenly pasture and living waters where 'full salvation flows' (st. 2); he reclaims me when I stray (st. 3); with me in death's shade (st. 4); my table spread among foes (st. 5); his bounties crown my days and I will dwell in his house (st. 6). Watts characteristically Christianizes the psalm: 'living waters… full salvation.'
Central theme: The Lord as Shepherd who supplies, restores, accompanies through death and welcomes home
Structure
Six short-meter quatrains following Ps 23:1-6.
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel throughout; straying and death's shade acknowledged (3-4).
Confessional Connections
Ps 23 (TLH's text). 'Since He is mine and I am His' — the mutual belonging of faith (Song 2:16; John 10:14). St. 2: 'living waters… full salvation' — Watts reads the psalm through John 4 and 10; Lutherans hear the means of grace (Word and Sacrament) as the pasture and waters. St. 3: the Shepherd reclaims the stray — God seeks the lost (Luke 15:4-6; conversion as God's act, FC II). St. 5: the table spread — classically read of the Lord's Supper.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Second Sunday after Easter (Good Shepherd); funerals; Lord's Supper; trust.
Historical Notes
From Watts's Psalms of David Imitated (1719), Ps 23 (short meter).
About the Tune
POTSDAM (J. S. Bach, 1750, adapted; Church Psalter, 1854).
Scripture References
Ps 23:1-6 John 10:11-14 Song 2:16 John 4:14 Rev 7:17 Luke 15:4-6 Ps 23:4 Heb 13:5 Luke 22:30 John 14:2
Stanza by Stanza
The Lord is my Shepherd; I will be well supplied. Since he is mine and I am his, what else could I want?
'The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want' (Ps 23:1). 'I know my own and my own know me' (John 10:14). 'My beloved is mine, and I am his' (Song 2:16).
- Scripture
- Ps 23:1, John 10:14, Song 2:16
- Imagery & language
- Shepherd; supplied; mine and His.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — mutual belonging.
- Connection to previous
- Mine and His.
He leads me to the place where heavenly pasture grows, where living waters pass gently and full salvation flows.
'He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters' (Ps 23:2). 'The water that I will give him will become… a spring of water welling up to eternal life' (John 4:14).
- Scripture
- Ps 23:2, John 4:14, Rev 7:17
- Imagery & language
- Heavenly pasture; living waters; full salvation.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — means of grace.
- Connection to previous
- Pasture.
If I ever go astray, he reclaims my soul and guides me in his own right way for the sake of his most holy name.
'He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake' (Ps 23:3). The lost sheep (Luke 15:4-6).
- Scripture
- Ps 23:3, Luke 15:4-6
- Imagery & language
- Astray; reclaimed; right way; His name.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — restoration.
- Connection to previous
- Reclaimed.
While he gives his help, I cannot give in to fear; though I walk through death's dark shadow, my Shepherd is with me there.
'Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me' (Ps 23:4).
- Scripture
- Ps 23:4, Heb 13:5
- Imagery & language
- No fear; death's dark shade; Shepherd present.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — presence in death.
- Connection to previous
- Death's shade.
You spread my table among surrounding enemies; my cup overflows with blessing, and joy lifts up my head.
'You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows' (Ps 23:5). Traditionally read of the Lord's Supper.
- Scripture
- Ps 23:5, Luke 22:30
- Imagery & language
- Foes; table; overflowing cup.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the feast.
- Connection to previous
- Table spread.
The rich gifts of your love will crown the rest of my days; I will not leave your house or stop speaking your praise.
'Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever' (Ps 23:6). 'In my Father's house are many rooms' (John 14:2).
- Scripture
- Ps 23:6, John 14:2
- Imagery & language
- Bounties; following days; Thy house; praise.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — eternal home.
- Connection to previous
- Thy house.
Themes
Divine providence Pastoral care of Christ Trust in God Comfort in affliction