The King of love my Shepherd is

This is my 33rd entry in the Lenten Hymn-of-the-Day project.

Today's entry deals with a subject that most of us are familiar with - Jesus, the good Shepherd. We usually observe "Good Shepherd Sunday" twice during the church year, on the 4th Sunday of Lent, and the 4th Sunday of Easter. This year, the lectionary does not observe it during Lent.

The text is by Henry William Baker (1821-1877), and is a paraphrase of Psalm 23. Although this text is now usually sung to the tune, "St. Columba", the tune sung here, "Dominus regit me" is by John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876) and is still popular in England.

Generally, I would sing this tune during Lent, and "St. Columba" at other times that the hymn is sung.

I also play a nice chorale prelude on this melody, composed by Christopher Dearnley, a former organist of Salisbury Cathedral and of St. Paul's in London. I'll try to prepare and upload that tomorrow... ;-)

One FULL VERSE for the introduction.

The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his,
And he is mine for ever.

Where streams of living water flow,
My ransomed sould 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 spread'st a table in my sight;
Thy 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 for ever.