Lyrics
[Verse 1]
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
In green pastures He makes me lie down.
He restores my soul and leads me on for His name.
For His great name.
[Chorus]
Surely goodness, surely mercy.
Right besides me all my days.
And I will dwell in your house forever.
And bless your holy name.
[Verse 2]
You prepare a table right before me.
In the presence of my enemies.
Though the arrows flies and the terror of night.
Is at my door, I'll trust you Lord.
(repeat chorus)
[Bridge]
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
I will fear no evil.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
You are on my side.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
I will fear no evil.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
You are on my side.
Surely goodness, surely mercy.
Right besides me all my days.
And I will dwell in your house forever.
And bless your holy name.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
I will fear no evil.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
You are on my side.
Surely goodness, surely mercy.
Right besides me all my days.
And I will dwell in your house forever.
And bless your holy name.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
"Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy" sets the Twenty-Third Psalm to a repeating chorus, keeping its ancient wording largely intact while adding a musical refrain that returns again and again between the psalm's familiar images. Green pastures, a prepared table, and the valley of the shadow of death appear in roughly their biblical order, giving the song a shape borrowed directly from Scripture rather than invented for the arrangement. The choir's chorus functions as commentary on each scene: whatever danger or comfort the verse describes, goodness and mercy are declared to be present regardless.
The bridge lingers longest on the psalm's most quoted line, repeating the valley of the shadow of death twice before returning to the chorus, a choice that gives the darkest image in the psalm the most space rather than rushing past it. That pacing mirrors the psalm's own logic, where fear is named before it is answered — "I will fear no evil" — rather than dismissed in general terms. By ending on the promise to dwell in God's house forever, the song closes where the psalm closes, turning a text written for one voice into a repeated confession for a congregation.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 23:1-4 The source text for the verses about green pastures, a restored soul, and the valley of the shadow of death.
- Psalm 23:5-6 The source text for the prepared table before enemies and dwelling in the Lord's house forever.