Many years ago, an Adventist friend of ours, Ed MacMakin, was doing a slide presentation of nature photographs on the theme of Psalm 23, the Shepherd’s Psalm. He asked us to help with the music, and these recordings were the result.
In most cases, real instruments were used, but occasionally a synthesized sound was included where suitable instruments were not available.
1. The Lord Is My Shepherd
This hymn is from the old Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, a German melody.
- 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. - Through 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. - In midst of affliction my table is spread;
With blessings unmeasured my cup runneth o’er;
With perfume and oil Thou anointest my head;
O what shall I ask of Thy providence more? - Let goodness and mercy, my bountiful God,
Still follow my steps till I meet Thee above;
I seek, by the path which my forefathers trod,
Through land of their sojourn, Thy Kingdom of love.
Lyrics: James Montgomery
Instruments: Scottish Smallpipe, Synthesized Sounds
2. The Lord Is My Shepherd
Same as #1, but more of a country-style arrangement.
Instruments: Octave Mandolin, Mandolin, Synthesized Sounds
3. Tender Shepherd
This version comes from one of our own songbooks, Song in the Night. The melody is based on a folk song from the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.
- The Lord my Shepherd is,
I shall be well supplied;
Since He is mine, and I am His,
What can I want beside?
He leads me to the place
Where heav’nly pasture grows,
Where living waters gently pass,
And full salvation flows. - If e’er I go astray,
He doth my soul reclaim,
And guides me in His own right way,
For His most holy name.
While He affords His aid,
I cannot yield to fear;
Though I should walk thro’ death’s dark shade,
My Shepherd’s with me there. - Amid surrounding foes,
Thou dost my table spread,
My cup with blessings overflows,
And joy exalts my head.
The bounties of Thy love
Shall crown my foll’wing days;
Nor from Thy house will I remove,
Nor cease to speak Thy praise.
Lyrics: Isaac Watts
Instruments: Vocals (Frank & Rebecca), Guitar, Synthesized Sounds
4. Psalm 23
Also taken from Song in the Night, this is an 18th century arrangement by John Valentine (c. 1785). Beautiful harmonization!
- My shepherd is the living Lord,
He gives me all I need;
In pastures fair, near pleasant streams,
He sets me down to feed. - He shall restore and make me whole,
And bring my mind in frame,
To walk in paths of righteousness,
For His most holy name. - Yea though I walk in vales of death,
Yet will I fear no ill;
Your rod and staff they comfort me,
And You are with me still. - And in the presence of my foes,
My table You have spread;
You make my cup to overflow,
And You anoint my head. - Thru all my life Your favor is
So clearly showed to me,
That in Your house forevermore
My dwelling place shall be.
Lyrics: Thomas Sternhold
Instruments: Lutes, Recorders, Dulcian, Synthesized Sounds
5. Divine Shepherd
Once again from Song in the Night, this is an American cowboy melody.
- The Lord my pasture shall prepare
And feed me with a shepherd’s care;
His presence shall my wants supply
And guard me with a watchful eye;
My noonday walks He shall attend
And all my midnight hours defend. - When in the sultry glebe I faint
Or on the thirsty mountain pant,
To fertile vales and dewy meads
My weary, wandering steps He leads,
Where peaceful rivers, soft and slow,
Amid the verdant landscape flow. - Though in the paths of death I tread,
With gloomy horrors overspread,
My steadfast heart shall fear no ill,
For Thou, O Lord, art with me still;
Thy friendly crook shall give me aid
And guide me through the dreadful shade. - Though in a bare and rugged way,
Through devious lonely wilds, I stray,
Thy bounty shall my pains beguile;
The barren wilderness shall smile,
With sudden greens and herbage crowned,
And streams shall murmur all around.
(NOTE: I reversed the order of vs. 3 and 4 for a happier ending)
Lyrics: Joseph Addison
Instruments: Vocals (Frank & Rebecca), Lute, Synthesized Sounds
6. Divine Shepherd
This is the same song as #5 above, but instrumental only.
Instruments: Shuttle Pipe, Guitar, Synthesized Sounds
7. The Lord’s My Shepherd
This tune is known as the Brother James melody. It is a fairly popular arrangement of Psalm 23, found in many Protestant hymn books.
- The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want.
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by. - My soul He doth restore again;
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
Even for His own Name’s sake. - Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear none ill;
For Thou art with me; and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still. - My table Thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows. - Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me;
And in God’s house forevermore
My dwelling place shall be.
Lyrics: Scottish Psalter
Instruments: Recorders, Dulcian, Chalumeaux, Synthesized Sounds
8. The Lord’s My Shepherd
This is another common arrangement of Psalm 23, the tune is called Crimond. Same Lyrics as #7 above.
Instruments: Harmonica (Ed), Lute, Synthesized Sounds
9. When the Lord’s My Shepherd
There is one other version of Psalm 23 on this website, a new version which we wrote and composed. The words are interpreted in a way that is applicable to the times we live in, and relates to the message of God for our generation. I don’t have a live recording of this yet, but there is an arrangement with sampled sounds. You can view it here: When the Lord’s My Shepherd.
Tags: Shepherd
