by Ken Sehested
My Shepherd will supply my need; Beloved is God’s name
In pasture’s fresh now I shall feed, Beside the living stream
You bring my wandering spirit back, When I forsake the Way
You gather me, for mercy’s sake, In paths of truth and grace
When shadows cast the shade of death Your presence is my stay
One word of Your supporting breath Drives all my fears away
Your hand, in sight of all my foes, Does still my table spread
My cup with blessings overflows, Your oil anoints my head
The earth in blessedness was made, By Wisdom’s tender hand
The fields and flocks, the hills and glade, Brought forth by Love’s demand
The stars on high, the oceans deep, Rejoice and praise the Name
By which creation made complete, Let every voice proclaim!
Oh promised day, when joys abound, Unrav’ling sorrow’s grief
When vengeance vile and shameful gaze Are bound by grace complete
Cast fear aside, oh trembling heart, Salvation is at hand!
The Word of Peace is drawing near: Arise! O Love’s Command!
Oh may Your Favor be restored, to creatures great and small.
Restore to us the confidence of bountiful enthrall.
And haste the day when righteousness and peace embrace, caress.
When Rizpah’s vigil,* bold and brave, heals all the earth’s distress.
Original lyrics by Isaac Watts. New (vs. 3-5) and adapted (vs. 1-2) by Ken Sehested. Walker’s Southern Harmony. “*Rizpah’s vigil,” 2 Samuel 21:1-14