Marty Nystrom - Shepherd Of My Soul - I Give You Full Control Lyrics
Lyrics
Shepherd of my soul I give you full control, Wherever You may lead I will follow. I have made the choice to listen for Your voice, Wherever You may lead I will go.
Be it in a quiet pasture or by a gentle stream, The Shepherd of my soul is by my side. Should I face a mighty mountain or a valley dark and deep, The Shepherd of my soul will be my guide.
Shepherd of my soul Oh You have made me whole, Wherever I hear You call how my tears flow. How I feel your love how I want to serve I gladly give my heart to You Oh Lord.
Be it in the flowing river or in the quiet night, The Shepherd of my soul is by my side. Should I face the stormy weather or the dangers of this world. The Shepherd of my soul will be my guide.
Video
Marty Nystrom- Shepherd Of My Soul (Medley) Songs of Peace (Hosanna! Music)
Meaning & Inspiration
I’ve been sitting here thinking about that line, Shepherd of my soul, I give you full control. It sounds so right, doesn’t it? It feels like the kind of thing you’re supposed to say to God. It brings up that imagery from Psalm 23, the idea of Him leading beside still waters or walking through the valley of the shadow of death. It’s comforting to imagine Him being right there in the stormy weather or the quiet night. But then I get stuck on the part about giving Him full control. Is that even something I have the capacity to do? I mean, my heart is so prone to wandering off, even when I think I’ve handed over the reins. It’s like when Peter told Jesus he’d follow Him anywhere, right before he denied Him three times.
The song captures this desire to be led, and I think that’s biblical enough. Jesus talks about His sheep knowing His voice, and this song says I have made the choice to listen for it. That feels like a real human struggle, trying to tune out everything else to hear Him. But there’s a tension there because the song makes it sound like a simple exchange of our will for His. I wonder if it’s really that tidy. When I read the Gospels, following Him often meant things falling apart, not just being led to a gentle stream. It feels like the song focuses on the peace of being led, which is true in one sense, but I’m not sure it fully grapples with what it actually costs to have Him as the Shepherd of your soul when the path doesn't feel gentle at all. I want to believe I can just gladly give my heart, but most days it feels like I’m still trying to hold onto it with both hands. I don’t know if I’m actually giving Him control, or if I’m just singing about wanting to want that.