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.
!n death's dark vale I fear no ill
With You, dear Lord, beside me;
Your rod and staff my comfort still,
Your cross before to guide me.
And so through all the length of days
Your goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing Youry praise
Within Your house forever.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“The King of Love My Shepherd Is” presents Christ as the faithful shepherd whose care does not fail. Images of green pasture, living water, guidance, and provision closely follow Psalm 23, while the rescued wanderer recalls the shepherd who seeks and carries a lost sheep home. The hymn acknowledges human straying without allowing failure to become its final word; divine love searches, restores, and sustains the soul.
Its movement through death’s dark valley gives the confession added weight. The singer’s confidence rests not in the absence of danger but in the Lord’s presence, rod, staff, and cross. The closing hope of praising the Good Shepherd in his house forever turns present trust toward eternal fellowship. Across its verses, the hymn joins repentance, comfort, and assurance in a single portrait of steadfast care. It portrays belonging to Christ as both present provision and lasting security.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 23:1-4 The hymn closely follows the psalm’s shepherd, pasture, water, valley, rod, and staff imagery.
- Luke 15:4-6 Jesus describes a shepherd finding a lost sheep, carrying it home, and rejoicing.
- John 10:11 Jesus identifies himself as the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.