Introduction
The piece we’ll cover today is one that the choir is doing at the early service this week and the late service next week. So, except for the travelers, all will get a chance to hear it.
The title 8s My Shepherd Will Supply My Need. It is based on the 23rd Psalm. The lyrics are by Isaac Watts (1674–1730). The tune is another American Folk Hymn, first captured in William Walker’s Southern Harmony (1835), as with last weeks discussion on Amazing Grace. This particular arrangement is by Mack Wilberg, who is the music director for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
We should do a session on Isaac Watts, as he’s often considered the father of English hymnnody. According to Wikipedia, Watts wrote over 750 hymns, many of which are in use today[1].
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever [NIV]1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. [KJV]
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
There are some performances of this work out on YouTube (and other places, I’m sure). Of the ones I listened to, the one by the Baylor A Capella Choir was the one I liked the most[2].
My Shepherd will supply my need:
Jehovah is His Name;
In pastures fresh He makes me feed,
Beside the living stream.
He brings my wandering spirit back
When I forsake His ways,
And leads me, for His mercy’s sake,
In paths of truth and grace.When I walk through the shades of death
Thy presence is my stay;
One word of Thy supporting breath
Drives all my fears away.
Thy hand, in sight of all my foes,
Doth still my table spread;
My cup with blessings overflows,
Thine oil anoints my head.The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days;
O may Thy house be my abode,
And all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest,
While others go and come;
No more a stranger, nor a guest,
But like a child at home.
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