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The Lord's My Shepherd

The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want

This paraphrase embodies Lutheran trust in God's sovereign care and protection, reflecting the Reformation emphasis on Scripture's accessibility to all believers. The hymn articulates the comfort of divine election and sustenance, central to Lutheran pastoral theology.

History & Background

Based on Psalm 23, this Scottish paraphrase first appeared in 1876 in the Scottish Psalter. Jessie Seymour Irvine, a Scottish musician and hymn writer, contributed the well-known tune CRIMOND in the late 19th century, which has become the most familiar setting.

Of all metrical versions of the psalms, this versification of Psalm 23 Scripture References from the 1650 Scottish Psalter is probably the best known. Though st.l = Ps. 23:1-2 st. 2 = Ps. 23:3 one of the best examples of a Scottish psalm in meter, the gram­ matical structure of the text is twisted for the sake of rhyme— the st. 3 = Ps. 23:4 mismatch of textual and musical phrases is especially problematic st. 4 = Ps. 23:5 in stanza 1. But the rugged strength of the verse and the powerful st. 5 = Ps. 23:6 imagery of this psalm have endeared this Scottish versification to many believers through the centuries. For further commentary on this psalm see PHH 23.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Chalice Hymnal — 79
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 801
  • Glory to God — 187
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 451
  • Lutheran Service Book — 710
  • Lift Up Your Hearts — 23
  • Lutheran Worship — 378
  • New Century Hymnal — 478
  • Psalter Hymnal — 161
  • Trinity Hymnal — 87
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 426
  • United Methodist Hymnal — 136
  • Voices Together — 702
  • With One Voice — 792

Bulletin Note

Paraphrased by Jessie Seymour Irvine (1876) from David Livingstone's rendering of Psalm 23. Set to the Scottish tune Crimond, this hymn embodies Reformation confidence in Scripture's comfort for all believers.

Preaching Connection

This hymn transforms the Law's exposure of our helplessness and want into the Gospel's joyful proclamation that Christ, our Shepherd, has already secured our provision, protection, and eternal home.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (conviction of sin and Christ's sacrifice) to Gospel (amazement at grace, personal response of self-surrender)

Themes

Divine providence Comfort in adversity Trust in God Pastoral care Assurance of salvation

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