The King of Love My Shepherd Is, ELW 502
1 The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
and he is mine forever.
2 Where streams of living water flow,
my ransomed soul he leadeth
and where the verdant pastures grow,
with food celestial feedeth.
3 Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love he sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing, brought me.
4 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.
5 Thou spreadst a table in my sight;
thine unction grace bestoweth;
and, oh, what transport of delight
from thy pure chalice floweth!
6 And so, through all the length of days,
thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house forever.
Devotion
This hymn has been my favorite for many years. I think that is partially due to the combining of words and music. If I close my eyes I can sense the gentle brook and the green grass of “verdant pastures.” I am a sheep of his flock – a “ransomed soul” that He daily leads. He is my shepherd, but even more than that, He is the King of love. All that I am, all that I have, all that exists is because God is love. How can I live without recognizing that the shepherd of my life is also Ruler and King of love?
Yet I also know well the “perverse and foolish” ways that I have strayed, and continue to stray. But again, if I close my eyes I can sense the love of Christ, my shepherd, lifting me gently onto His shoulders and carrying me home again. When I sense the dark vale of death I am comforted by more than the rod and staff of Psalm 23. This hymn takes me further, to “thy cross before to guide me.” The proof of God’s great love is in the cross of Christ.
Prayer
King of love, help us through our length of days to live as servants of your love so that others might know the joy of being a part of your flock. Amen.