Card received Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in Religious Studies from Western Kentucky University. His studies in physics and astronomy allowed him to support himself while a student by working for six years at a planetarium. As of 2005, he is working on a Ph.D. in Classical Literature.
My Shepherd
Michael Card Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And so I lack nothing
In meadows of green grass
He lets me lie down
Beside the still waters
He patiently leads me
Restoring my soul
For His holy namesake
He guides me by right paths
Though I may stray to
The vale of deep darkness
I fear no evil
For You are there with me
Beside me Your rod and staff
They comfort me
You prepare a table
Before my enemies
My head You've anointed
My cup's overflowing
Your goodness and mercy
Will follow me all the days of my life
And I'll make my home place
In the house of the Lord
In Michael Card's song My Shepherd, the lyrics describe the comfort and assurance that comes from having the Lord as one's shepherd. The use of nature imagery throughout the lyrics symbolizes a peaceful, pastoral setting that the Lord provides for his sheep. The opening lines "The Lord is my Shepherd, and so I lack nothing" sets the tone of the song, emphasizing that because the Lord is the one guiding us, we have all we need.
The mention of the "vale of deep darkness" is a reference to the difficult times we may experience, but even in those times we are not alone. The lyrics state that the Lord is with us and His presence provides comfort and assurance. This is further emphasized in the line, "beside me Your rod and staff, they comfort me." The rod and staff symbolize the Lord's protection and guidance, which brings peace and comfort to the listener.
Overall, the lyrics of My Shepard offer a sense of reassurance and hope to those who trust in the Lord. The use of vivid imagery and metaphorical language helps the listener to visualize the care and provision that the Lord provides, even in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
The Lord is my Shepherd
The Lord is my guide and protector.
And so I lack nothing
Because the Lord is with me, I have all that I need.
In meadows of green grass
God provides me with lush pastures to rest in.
He lets me lie down
The Lord allows me to rest and relax.
Beside the still waters
The Lord leads me to peaceful, calm streams where I can drink.
He patiently leads me
God patiently guides me through life, step-by-step.
Restoring my soul
Through His guidance, the Lord restores my sense of purpose and inner strength.
For His holy namesake
God guides me to uphold His name, to live in a way that reflects His holy nature.
He guides me by right paths
God leads me down the correct paths in life, helping me avoid wrong turns and mistakes.
Though I may stray to the vale of deep darkness
Even when I might wander off and find myself in dark and scary places, the Lord continues to guide and protect me.
I fear no evil
With the Lord as my Shepherd, I have no reason to be afraid.
For You are there with me
God is always with me, even in the darkest of times.
Beside me Your rod and staff
God's presence and guidance bring comfort and protection.
They comfort me
The Lord's gentle presence brings comfort to my soul.
You prepare a table
God welcomes me into His home, providing me with hospitality and nourishment.
Before my enemies
Even in the presence of those who might wish me harm, God protects and provides for me.
My head You've anointed
God blesses me and gives me honor, both in the present and for eternity.
My cup's overflowing
Through His blessings, God gives me more than I could ever need or want.
Your goodness and mercy
God's loving kindness and grace are always present in my life.
Will follow me all the days of my life
God's love will never leave me, no matter where I go or what I do.
And I'll make my home place
I know that ultimately, my true home is with God.
In the house of the Lord
I will dwell with God forever in His holy home.
Contributed by Elijah N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.