When You shepherd me
I have everything that I need
When You make me rest
Beside a peaceful stream
My soul is restored
My strength is renewed
When you shepherd me
When You shepherd me
Your rod and staff comfort me
As You guide my steps
I can trust Your lead
Even when I walk
Through the valley shadowed with death
I will not fear for You are with me
I am overwhelmed by love
Overtaken by Your mercy
Lord Your goodness without end
Will be the house in which I dwell
When you shepherd me
Your prepare a bountiful feast
Even when my enemies
Are closing in on me
You anoint me with oil
My cup overflows
When You shepherd me
==========================
The Story Behind The Song
King David has always been one of my heroes and the 23 rd Psalm has always struck me as one of David's theme songs, so it has always been one of my 'life-songs' as well. When I began leading worship and writing worship songs almost 20 years ago I wrote a song simply entitled "Psalm 23". Over time that song faded away, but the pull of this psalm never has. Not that long ago, the church we were a part of went through a season where we were without a senior pastor, and I felt God ask me to serve for a season by handling some of the preaching and leadership responsibilities. As I looked over our congregation, it seemed to me that God wanted to gather us together and bring us back to all the realities found in this psalm. God wanted to restore our souls. So I began a series of messages . . . and as I began studying the Psalm afresh, I realized that we needed to sing the Psalm afresh to help us remember all the life that is packed into this song of David. So I paraphrased the lyrics and wrote a new melody (other than one fragment which I borrowed from my first song on Psalm 23) and taught "When you shepherd me" to our church. We often forget messages and sermons, but if we are singing those truths, it helps us connect our minds with our hearts, and it helps us to remember. Now this song has become one of my life-songs, and I don't just use it as a worship leader, but I find myself singing it almost everyday when I need to be brought back into the care of my Good Shepherd again.
I have everything that I need
When You make me rest
Beside a peaceful stream
My soul is restored
My strength is renewed
When you shepherd me
When You shepherd me
Your rod and staff comfort me
As You guide my steps
I can trust Your lead
Even when I walk
Through the valley shadowed with death
I will not fear for You are with me
I am overwhelmed by love
Overtaken by Your mercy
Lord Your goodness without end
Will be the house in which I dwell
When you shepherd me
Your prepare a bountiful feast
Even when my enemies
Are closing in on me
You anoint me with oil
My cup overflows
When You shepherd me
==========================
The Story Behind The Song
King David has always been one of my heroes and the 23 rd Psalm has always struck me as one of David's theme songs, so it has always been one of my 'life-songs' as well. When I began leading worship and writing worship songs almost 20 years ago I wrote a song simply entitled "Psalm 23". Over time that song faded away, but the pull of this psalm never has. Not that long ago, the church we were a part of went through a season where we were without a senior pastor, and I felt God ask me to serve for a season by handling some of the preaching and leadership responsibilities. As I looked over our congregation, it seemed to me that God wanted to gather us together and bring us back to all the realities found in this psalm. God wanted to restore our souls. So I began a series of messages . . . and as I began studying the Psalm afresh, I realized that we needed to sing the Psalm afresh to help us remember all the life that is packed into this song of David. So I paraphrased the lyrics and wrote a new melody (other than one fragment which I borrowed from my first song on Psalm 23) and taught "When you shepherd me" to our church. We often forget messages and sermons, but if we are singing those truths, it helps us connect our minds with our hearts, and it helps us to remember. Now this song has become one of my life-songs, and I don't just use it as a worship leader, but I find myself singing it almost everyday when I need to be brought back into the care of my Good Shepherd again.