Savior Like a Shepherd
In the Good Shepherd's care
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Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
The classic hymn “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” paints a beautiful picture of the love and attentive care we receive from Jesus. The entire song is a prayer affirming our trust and security in Him.
Prayerfully modernizing these lyrics made the truth of these lines sink deeply into my heart in a fresh way. The scriptural parallels come from Psalm 23 and John 10.
Savior, like a shepherd lead us
How we need Your tender care
In Your pleasant pastures feed us
All we need You have prepared
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. Psalm 23:1-3a
In Your kindness You befriended us
You’re the guardian of our way
Keep us and from sin defend us
Seek us when we go astray
I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Psalm 23:4b
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand. John 10:27-28
Lord, You promised to receive us
Poor and sinful though we be
You have mercy to relieve us
Grace to cleanse and power to free
I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and life to the full. John 10:9-10
Every morning by Your favor
We will rise to seek Your will
Blessed Lord and only Savior
With Your love our hearts are filled
Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23: 6
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus.
You have bought us, we are Yours.
You will hear us when we pray.
You have loved us, love us still.
The safest place to be is in the Good Shepherd’s care.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.
Lord, I thank You for being my Shepherd, and for Your love and protection in my everyday life.
John 10:9-15 I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and life to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep and my sheep know Me-- just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father -- and I lay down My life for the sheep.
John 10:27-28 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand.
Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Click below to listen.
Savior Like a Shepherd
Savior, like a shepherd lead us
How we need Your tender care
In Your pleasant pastures feed us
All we need You have preparedBlessed Jesus, blessed Jesus
You have bought us, we are Yours
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus
You have bought us, we are YoursIn Your kindness You befriended us
You’re the guardian of our way
Keep us and from sin defend us
Seek us when we go astrayBlessed Jesus, blessed Jesus
You will hear us when we pray
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus
You will hear us when we prayLord, You promised to receive us
Poor and sinful though we be
You have mercy to relieve us
Grace to cleanse and power to freeEvery morning by Your favor
We will rise to seek Your will
Blessed Lord and only Savior
With Your love our hearts are filledBlessed Jesus, blessed Jesus
You have loved us, love us still
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus
You have loved us, love us still
You have loved us, love us still
Savior, Like a Shepherd
Lyrics: Dorothy Thrupp. Music: William Bradbury. Public Domain.
Updated lyrics and arrangement by Amy Hooper ©2025 Walking Dichotomy Music (ASCAP)
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Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version (R) NIV (R) ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Songwriter Notes: I was reacquainted with this precious hymn when preparing it to sing at the funeral of a dear family friend. She had requested it when planning her own service because it was her favorite. The lyric and musical updates are minimal, merely tweaks to help modern listeners unfamiliar with the hymn hear its truth more clearly.