All October I’ve been sharing hymns that came out of the Protestant Reformation (remember October 31st is Reformation Day!). This week I want to share a favorite from Scotland. This English rendering of Psalm 23 came out of the Scottish Reformation and appeared in the Scottish Psalter of 1650. Enjoy:
1. The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.
2. My soul He doth restore again
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E’en for His own name’s sake.
3. Yea, tho’ I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.
4. My table Thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.
5. Goodness and mercy, all my life,
Shall surely follow me;
And in God’s house forevermore
My dwelling place shall be.
FYI: The West Bromwich Albion Premier League football (soccer) team uses this hymn as a club anthem:
