A Song by Edward Waters
(Copyright © September 2001)
You are the Shepherd of my soul.[1] You are my all-sufficient Lord:
You give me rest;[2] You give me strength; in You my spirit is restored.[3]
You are my Father[4] and my Friend,[5] the greatest comfort in my grief,[6]
The Love that heals my fear and shame,[7] within whose arms I find relief.[8]
Some men may say my faith is blind, but I see You are who You are:[9]
No god but God, no way but Truth. Whatever comes, You're never far.[10]
When You put gladness in my heart, all shadows hasten to withdraw.[11]
You are gracious; You are God:[12] You have my love; You have my awe![13]
You are the Shepherd of my soul. O let me follow where You lead!
Yours is the Word by which I live, the only Voice I choose to heed.[14]
It is a lamp unto my feet. It is a light unto my way.
My lips have sworn, my life shall prove, that I will hold to what You say.[15]
And should men ask what god I serve, I'll answer, 'He is who He is:[16]
No god but God, no way but Truth. I'll live no life but one that's His.[17]
He is the Kindler of the Stars,[18] Master of All,[19] Ancient of Days;[20]
And no pretender to His throne shall stand one moment in His gaze!'[21]
There is a life that cannot start until what's dead has been entombed.[22]
There is a fire that ever burns, and yet its host is not consumed;
And he that turns to see this sight is nevermore the same.
I stand unshod on holy ground and hear a Voice within the Flame:[23]
'Though men will ask what god you serve, I Am Who I Am:[24]
No god but God, no way but Truth. I hold all things in My hand.[25]
If you will trust now in My word, I'll teach you what to say[26] and do;[27]
Reach out in faith and see My power,[28] and know that I will be with you.'[29]
Lord, I have sworn, my life shall prove, that I will hold to what You say.
You are the Shepherd of my soul.
[1] I Peter 2.25 [9] Matthew 8.5-13 [17] Matthew 10.37-39 [24] Exodus 3.13-14 [2] Matthew 11.28 [10] Psalm 145.18 [18] Genesis 1.16 [25] Psalm 95.3-5; [3] Psalm 23.1-3 [11] Psalm 4.6-7 [19] Philippians 2.9-11 Isaiah 48.12-13 [4] Luke 11.13 [12] Nehemiah 9.31 [20] Daniel 7.9ff [26] Exodus 4.12 [5] Proverbs 17.17a [13] Hebrews 12.28-29 [21] Revelation 6.15-17; [27] Exodus 4.15 [6] Matthew 5.4 [14] John 10.27-28 Isaiah 2.8-11; Psalm 2 [28] Exodus 4.4-5; [7] Psalm 34.17-18 [15] Psalm 119.105-106 [22] Romans 6.3-11 14.13-16,21 [8] Luke 15.20; John 16.22 [16] John 10.29-30 [23] Exodus 3.2-6 [29] Exodus 3.12; Matthew 28.20