Lyrics
The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
And he is mine forever.
Where streams of living water flow,
My ransomed soul he leadeth
And, where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love he sought me
And on his shoulder gently laid
And home rejoicing brought me.
In death's dark vale I fear no ill
With thee, dear Lord, beside me,
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.
Thou spredst a table in my sight;
Thine unction grace bestoweth;
And, oh, what transport of delight
From thy pure chalice floweth!
And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
Within thy house forever.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“The King of Love My Shepherd Is” is a close Christian meditation on Psalm 23. Each verse develops one of the psalm’s pastoral images: green pasture, living water, guidance through the dark valley, a prepared table, and lifelong dwelling in God’s house. The opening confession places security in belonging to the Shepherd, whose goodness does not fail. Even the admission of wandering is answered by a shepherd who seeks, carries, and brings the lost one home with joy.
The hymn also reads the psalm through the person and work of Christ. The shepherd is addressed as Lord, his cross becomes a guide, and his care reaches beyond present provision to final hope. Death remains a dark valley, but it does not have the last word because the Shepherd stays beside his own. Images of anointing, the cup, and heavenly food add a sacramental tone without displacing the central theme of faithful care. The final prayer gathers the song into praise that continues through all days and within God’s house forever.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 23:1-6 The entire hymn closely paraphrases the psalm’s Shepherd, pasture, valley, table, and dwelling imagery.
- Luke 15:4-6 The shepherd seeks the straying sheep, carries it home, and rejoices, as described in the third verse.