The King of Love My Shepherd Is

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
GenreHymn
Written1868
TextHenry Williams Baker
Based onPsalm 23
Meter8.7.8.7
Melody"Dominus Regit Me" by John Bacchus Dykes, "St. Columba", and "Remsen"

The King of Love My Shepherd Is is an 1868 hymn with lyrics written by Henry Williams Baker, based on the Welsh version of Psalm 23 and the work of Edmund Prys.[1][2][3] It is sung to four different melodies: Dominus Regit Me, the traditional Irish tune St. Columba, "Ich dank' dir schon" by Michael Praetorius, and Remsen, the Welsh original.[4][5] Henry Baker's last words were reportedly lyrics from this hymn.[6] In 1997, the hymn was sung at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Lyrics[edit]

The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never. 
I nothing lack if I am his, 
and he is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow, 
my ransomed soul he leadeth; 
and where the verdant pastures grow, 
with food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish, oft I strayed, 
but yet in love he sought me; 
and on his shoulder gently laid, 
and home, rejoicing, brought me.

In death's dark vale I fear no ill, 
with thee, dear Lord, beside me; 
thy rod and staff my comfort still, 
thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spreadst a table in my sight; 
thy unction grace bestoweth; 
and oh, what transport of delight 
from thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days, 
thy goodness faileth never; 
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise 
within thy house forever.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Yr Arglwydd yw fy Mugail clau
  2. ^ Francis Arthur Jones (1903). Famous hymns and their authors. Hodder and Stoughton. p. 178.
  3. ^ Towner, W. Sibley. "'Without Our Aid Did He Us Make': Singing the Meaning of the Psalms". In Patrick D. Miller; Brent A. Strawn; Nancy R. Bowen (2003). A God So Near: Essays on Old Testament Theology in Honor of Patrick D. Miller. Eisenbrauns. p. 26. ISBN 978-1-57506-067-5.
  4. ^ REMSEN (Thomas)
  5. ^ The Harvard University Hymn Book. Harvard University Press. 2007. pp. 195–196. ISBN 978-0-674-02696-4.
  6. ^ Robert Morgan (2003). Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories. Thomas Nelson Inc. p. 169. ISBN 978-1-4185-7824-4.