The Lord is My Shepherd
The Choirs and Orchestra of Brigham Young University Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want
He maketh me to lie down
In green pastures

He leadeth me beside the still waters
Oh, He restoreth my soul
He restoreth my soul

He restoreth my soul
He restoreth my soul

Oh thank you, Lord
I wanna thank you
(He leadeth me) for leading me in the path of righteousness
In the path of righteousness
Just for His name's sake
Oh yeah, though I walk through the valley of shadow of death
I will fear no evil
For thou art with me
Thy rod and thy staff
And you comfort me
I wanna thank you for comforting me (And you comfort me)
Every day (And you comfort me)
All the way (And you comfort me)
Thank you, Lord (And you comfort me)
For just comforting me
Thank you, Lord
He prepareth a table before me
In the presence of my enemies
He anointeth my head with oil
And my cup keeps running over and over and over yeah
Surely goodness and mercy
Shall follow me all the days of my life
Then shall I know that I
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever and ever
I believe (Forever and ever) down in my soul
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
(Forever and ever) Ever and ever
Amen, Amen, Amen
Amen (Amen), Amen (Amen), Amen (Amen)
Amen
Wonderful counselor
Prince of peace

Mighty good shepherd
I love you, Lord

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Lord Is My Shepherd highlight the love of God and the faithfulness of His protection and guidance over His people. The opening verse declares that the Lord is the shepherd of the singer, emphasizing that with God, the singer lacks nothing. God ensures that His creatures never go hungry, and allows them to rest in peaceful pastures. The second section describes how God guides the singer through all of life’s challenges - even the “valley of the shadow of death” - offering comfort and protection with His “rod and staff.”

The hymn’s third section reads almost like a gratitude list, with the singer thanking God for all He has done for him or her. In the singer’s life, God has offered not only security and strength, but refreshment (anointing with oil) as well as overflowing abundance (a cup that “keeps running over and over and over”). Finally, the song ends on a joyful note, celebrating the never-ending goodness and mercy of God that will follow the singer for all the days of his or her life. The viewer gets a clear message that the singer recognizes and is grateful for the many gifts of God.

Line by Line Meaning

The Lord is my shepherd
God is my guide and protector

I shall not want
He provides for all my needs

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
He gives me rest and refreshment

He leadeth me beside the still waters
He gives me peace and comfort

Oh, He restoreth my soul
He renews my spirit and vitality

Oh thank you, Lord
Expressing gratitude to God

I wanna thank you (He leadeth me) for leading me in the path of righteousness
Grateful for guidance towards the right path

In the path of righteousness
Following the morally proper way of life

Just for His name's sake
Doing what is right out of respect for God

Oh yeah, though I walk through the valley of shadow of death
Even when going through difficult times

I will fear no evil
I trust in God's protection and presence

For thou art with me
God is always by my side

Thy rod and thy staff
God's guidance and protection

And you comfort me
God provides comfort in tough times

I wanna thank you for comforting me (And you comfort me)
Expressing gratitude for God's comfort

Every day (And you comfort me)
God provides daily comfort

All the way (And you comfort me)
God provides continuous comfort

Thank you, Lord (And you comfort me)
Grateful for God's comfort

He prepareth a table before me
God provides abundance and sustenance

In the presence of my enemies
God blesses me regardless of opposition

He anointeth my head with oil
God gives me honor and blessing

And my cup keeps running over and over and over yeah
God's abundance overfloweth repeatedly

Surely goodness and mercy
God's unconditional love and kindness

Shall follow me all the days of my life
God's blessings will be with me forever

Then shall I know that I
I will be certain that

And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
I will be with God forever

Forever and ever
Eternal life with God

I believe (Forever and ever) down in my soul
Belief in eternal life with God

Amen, Amen, Amen
So be it

Wonderful counselor
God is wise and provides wisdom

Prince of peace
God brings peace and calmness

Mighty good shepherd
God is a powerful and caring guide for his people

I love you, Lord
Expressing love and devotion to God

Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: DOROTHY MASTER MASTER GREEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@rozennemarielipatuan1316

5y↑6

The Lord is my Shepherd; no want shall I know.
I feed in green pastures; safe-folded I rest.
He leadeth my soul where the still waters flow,
Restores me when wand’ring, redeems when oppressed,
Restores me when wand’ring, redeems when oppressed.

Thru the valley and shadow of death though I stray,
Since thou art my Guardian, no evil I fear.
Thy rod shall defend me, thy staff be my stay.
No harm can befall with my Comforter near.
No harm can befall with my Comforter near.

In the midst of affliction my table is spread.
With blessings unmeasured my cup runneth o’er.
With perfume and oil thou anointest my head.
Oh, what shall I ask of thy providence more?
Oh, what shall I ask of thy providence more?