The King of Love My Shepherd Is | |
---|---|
Genre | Hymn |
Written | 1868 |
Text | Henry Williams Baker |
Based on | Psalm23 |
Meter | 8.7.8.7 |
Melody | "Dominus Regit Me" by John Bacchus Dykes |
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 made by Edmund Prys. [1] [2] [3]
It is most often sung to one of four different melodies:
Other choral settings of the text include those by Edward Bairstow (1931), Charles Gounod (1899), Harry Rowe Shelley (1886) and Arthur Somervell (1903). [12] There are many other settings of texts derived from Psalm 23. [13]
Henry Baker's last words were reportedly lyrics from this hymn. [14]
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.
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