Text: Psalm 23:1-6, Micah 7:7, John 10:7-18
“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” was first published in 1836, in a collection of songs titled Hymns for the Young, compiled by Dorothy Thrupp. While its composition is sometimes attributed to Thrupp, some publications do not credit her at all, citing the writer as anonymous.
Why Thrupp did not credit herself as the writer, we may never know. Regardless, the gospel truths echoed in this hymn belong to all of us, those who are childlike in both stature and faith (Bailey 184).
Today, this hymn remains a strong, timeless invitation and prayerful response to the imagery found in Psalm 23. While the psalmist affirms the Lord’s faithfulness and goodness, the hymn writer actively calls upon God out of personal need. When coupled together, the psalm and hymn serve as a call-and-response:
“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack” (v. 1).
Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care.
“He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters” (v. 2).
In Thy pleasant pastures, feed us.
“He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake” (v. 3).
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Our endless call to our Shepherd is that of lost, needy, hungry children, and His response is love. We are His lambs—tender, wandering, forgetful—and yet He leads us still. He is our sure comfort and restful pasture. May we continually recall God’s character and call out for His faithful response.
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
By Dorothy A. Thrupp
Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
We are Thine, do Thou befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee.
Early let us seek Thy favor,
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Bailey, Albert Edward. The Gospel in Hymns: Backgrounds and Interpretations. New York: Scribner, 1950.
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55 thoughts on "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us"
@Cindy Hanna ~ love your comment, thank you for sharing!
So many great ones today. And I love, love these scripture readings today!!
I love the Scripture today. Psalm 23 has so much imagery in it. I’m so thankful that Jesus is my Shepherd! The words from Micah also spoke to me today, especially the last phrase: “my God will hear me.” Hallelujah! Whether I’m whispering my deepest fears and thoughts, or shouting in desperation, my God hears me! In these days of uncertainty, I scream in panic, and He hears me. Oh, the joy of knowing He hears me, and will never forget me.
This study of hymns has been so uplifting. I love the hymn for today. Once again, it brings memories of my childhood home church. Yes, indeed, Savior like a Shepherd lead me.”
RHONDA J – thank you for sharing what happened in your jail ministry yesterday. The power of the name of Jesus!
ALYSSA LIGHTNER – thank you for the explanation of why it is such a beautiful act that our Shepherd anoints our heads with oil. Lord, anoint my head with oil today, and every day. Banish all those flies and gnats that try to get into my thoughts and turn my eyes from you.
And thank you for bringing up the fact that COVID is “quietly” slipping into our world again – not that it ever left. Lord, protect us.
Morning she’s,
We got snow in the forecast next week and I have been bringing some of my annuals inside (geraniums). My petunias are going so strong and are still full of dense blooms, such a vigorous plant. But I am letting go, embracing a new season of snow ahead.
The reading today brought some sadness to my heart. As a keen observation of one of our dear she suggested, that we truly listen to the wrong voice of the hired hand way too often. I was one of those. Since we might not know how or do not make time to cultivate hearing God’s voice enough to be built up in discerning. God’s voice arises in the quiet and secret place, a very still voice with calmness and power, and it contradicts the hired hand’s voice. “He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep” (John 10:12-13). By God’s grace, it was revealed that it was not God that this man carried, but the embodiment of the flesh and religion. And he was exposed. As I have shared before, it was a church hurt season, a brutal 2 years or so of silent battle until I finally respectfully left. Deception is that it looks as if they care, or they might have cared at the beginning, but stopped somewhere down the road, it’s no longer the sheep that they care, but the ministry career and the great turnout, the validation for the flesh, and not God’s glory. Even this, God has to bring fire (situations) to test and expose, because even a good shepherd will for a great turnout and rejoice at the lives changed. So, I came to the Lord in prayers again and again, bringing this verse to His remembrance, “Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them” (Ezekiel 34:10). The update: the Lord has removed that hired hand, and the sheep of the church has now been transferred into another person in charge. God indeed has required the sheep at their hand. They have packed up and moved away… out of the country. All this happened within a year, which was shocking to me. Let the fear of the Lord be upon us when we serve Him and His bride (the church). Which is to say, echoing what KIMBERLY Z posted, “but as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. – Micah 7:7”. God heard, and He acted. He sorted out His house, at the cry of His sheep longing for a true shepherd after God’s own heart. And you know what else, He told me to come to this man’s house, saying goodbye to his family, and offered a big offering as a gift for their departure. God is truly truly love. This has brought closure to my wounded soul, because the Lord truly heard my cry.
KIMBERLY Z, prayers for your beautiful desires to be blessed and unfold. May God build you up first for the responsibilities and demands of such roles.
RHONDA J, so encouraged hearing about your jail day yesterday, scary that demons operate through people to do the unthinkable, but we have JESUS within who is stronger than the demons. Discernment is a beautiful gift and is necessary for situations like this. Great reminder to spread the gospel and do something, start where we are, 5 loaves and 2 fishes, just something, faith without works is dead. Glory to Him.
Be blessed dear sisters.
7 But as for me, I will look to the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
my God will hear me. – Micah 7:7. What a great reminder as I’ve often been inpatient through out my life but mainly my adult life. Wondering when I will get married, have kids, become a wife, etc. has weighted hard on me but finding peace that the Lord will wait for me is such a comforting feeling. He knows what’s best for our lives and giving that up to him is such a wonderful feeling. Happy Thursday ladies. Praying for you all.
GM She’s!
Beautiful sentiment from this song, although I do not know it! I did add it to my hymn playlist!
Thank you Mercy for your prayers for jail, we had 5 new ladies, and all committed or recommitted their live to Jesus! One seemed to have a falseness about her in the beginning which I couldn’t put my finger on, then when we left my friend said that she sensed the evil somewhere in the room, and then a few minutes later this inmate turned directly to her and said “Are you new here” very kinda intimidating. My friend said she prayed the spirit of the enemy leave, and then we saw the prisoner’s disposition change! Kinda crazy, as it is sometimes to be discerning, but our new volunteer has that gift! The name of Jesus is more powerful than we can imagine, and the enemy must flee! Another inmate said that she had a girl always hand her our handouts from class when she would come back to her pod (planting the seeds!), and that persuaded her to come and then led to recommitment! I so love seeing God work even in a place of darkness and brokenness!! It is such a blessing, and those people are all around us!!
I encourage you all to get some ministry of small group going if you are not in one! You can start one! They help build your faith just as we do here in this study! But you can influence others to serve and grow, and join in this great commission we have been assigned! It’s not an option, it is a command! In Jesus name! Praise! Give Him praise!!
@Michelle Thank you for always sharing your heart!
Jesus said, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock, and one shepherd.” (John 10:16) Those “other sheep” are you and me! So thankful that Jesus grafted us in. All who believe in Him become part of the chosen, part of the flock, part of the family of God! He didn’t have to include us, but God…because of His great love, opened the way of salvation for us all – hallelujah! So thankful to be a part of the family of God – and so thankful for each of you, my sisters in Christ! Have a most blessed day today!
Whenever I read about Shepherds and sheep I’m transported back to the spring that my grandson worked with sheep during lambing season. He loved the experience. Especially when he helped with a difficult delivery of a lamb all by himself.
I sometimes chuckle about how amazingly we act like sheep. Stubborn, willful, prone to stray, and quick to loudly complain when encouraged to do something or go in a direction we don’t like.
And yet…Jesus the good Shepherd continues to love and care for us. Even more mind boggling to me is that He actually seeks us out to bring us into the fold and searches for us when we wander off! In spite of all our flaws.
Beautiful love of Jesus.
This is a hymn I always enjoy singing- lyrics and melody more like a ballad with no heavy embellishment or difficult notes to maneuver!
KELLY NEO – Yes, hallelujah He had a plan!
SEARCHING – adding my AMEN to your prayer! ❤
KRISTINE LOUGHMAN – Thank you for that imagery and bringing the sound of the surf to mind! Glad you are being refreshed!
Praying for you precious sisters (and me) as we follow our Shepherd’s lead.
I lack nothing! Even with a negative balanced bank out…He is My Good Shepherd and I lack nothing! I can walk through hard times and not be afraid! He is always with me!
Wow thanks for sharing this…I’ve heard it before but forgot. Such a beautiful reminder of all He does for us!!
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
Psalms 23:1 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.23.1.NIV
I love this hymn! It points us to becoming like a child trusting in our Father. I think sometimes we try to make our Christian walk so difficult when all we have to do is “Trust and Obey.”
Psalm 23 is so beautiful. But it’s been read so often, I sometimes struggle to “hear” it. My mind fills in the words as my eyes skin over them. Today I’m sitting on our balcony, watching the waves pound, feeling at peace (because who doesn’t feel at peace when they’re watching the surf instead of 25 third-graders?!) This verse stood out:
“You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies…”
When I’m anxious, I have no appetite. The worry clenches at my belly. Yet this verse promises that, even in the middle of my anxiety (enemy), there will be a feast and I’ll be able to enjoy it, because the Good Shepherd will take all my care and worry on himself. I imagine shrugging out of my worry like taking off a coat before sitting down at the feast. Jesus is like, “here, let me take that [pulls coat from my shoulders]. Please, have a seat” [pulls chair out for me].
@Adrienne- yes, these were my thoughts, too! I never really spent time with that thought. That the world follows the voice of the “hired hand” – choosing a leader who abandons them when they are in need because only Jesus stays through it all. No one can love us like Him.
@Cee Gee, Searching, and Kimberly Z- <3
I really needed these reminders today in the Word. Psalm 23 has been close to me this year… I even bought a little bumper sticker that says "He restores my soul" because I need to keep in my heart. Thank you, Jesus.
God bless you, Shes.
There are so many following the voice of the hired hand… “I have other sheeph that are not from this sheep pen; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd” John 10:16 Help us, dear Lord to show you to others!
He is worthy of our praise, sweet sisters!
Love the Scriptures today. Our Lord God the Father and Jesus Christ our Savior – lead us each day on Your paths of righteousness and not into temptation, lead us along the road that keeps us following Your will for us, and not our own.
I was reminded today of the equation Jesus + Nothing = Everything and also reminded of the chorus He’s All I Need (Jesus is all I need)
KELLY (NEO) yes, so thankful the gentiles are included in His children!
MICHELLE PATIRE – thank you for sharing your testimony ❤️
FOSTER MAMA – good to see you! praying for you as you trust in the Lord’s timing and wait on His leading and guidance. I thought of you as I was reading Micah 7:7 ❤️
KRYSTAL SCOTT ❤️
CEE GEE – amen to 1 Corinthians 1:30b, so straightforward. ❤️
“I have other sheeph that are not from this sheep pen; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd”
Thank You, Jesus that You came for me, a lamb from another folld.
FOSTER MAMA – Praying the Shepherd leads your heart and actions.
I love… ‘His response to us is love’
John 10:14
‘He anoints my head with oil’ I never really understood the symbolism for that, so I looked it up. It’s a beautiful comparison to the flies and gnats that pester flocks of sheep, the shepherd anoints their heads with oil so the flies stop pestering them, and even worse, burrow into their skulls, lay eggs and end up killing the sheep! Think of all the flies swarming around our heads on a daily basis! The lies, fret, worry, etc. With gods anointing, we can focus on things that are good, love our lives walking in his peace during these uncertain, scary, COVID-19 days! I will remember this! Now is our chance as believers to ACTIVELY trust in the Lord! (While being smart and social distancing! God also blessed us with a brain to reason with too! Let’s use that as well!) stay safe sisters in Christ!
What a strong, beautiful reminder in the midst of the chaos of the Coronavirus pandemic. God is our SURE COMFORT and RESTFUL PASTURE. Our ever-present help in times of need. “Even though I walk through valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil— for you are with me.” Lord, hold us tightly. Never let us go. Deliver us.
What abundant and lavish love ❤️
One flock and one shepherd (John 10:16) AMEN
“Early let us turn to Thee.” If only we all could take these words to heart when we were young – more time to love Him, more time to grow in Him, more time to glorify Him.
Thank you Lord Jesus for gathering all your sheep together. Thank you Lord for continuing to look for and call to all the lost lambs out there. Praying they would hear Your voice and come to You. In your precious name I pray, Amen.
Amen!
Jesus Jesus, thank you Jesus!
Thank you Jesus for the real true love you gave us you didn’t have to do it but you did because you love us I am waiting for your return and making sure I am ready and my family like the bible says ME AND MY FAMILY WILL SERVE THE LORD I DECLARE THIS IN THE NAME OF JESUS although my family will back slide that is fine because they cannot get away from you Lord you will draw them near father God we are living in the last days and it is so clear that you’re coming soon I thank you for for all you do for me in Jesus precious name amen. This was a great passage and I declare it all in Jesus name upon my life and my family my goal is to to make it home to my father in heaven my ministry have to be done that another goal is to reach out to the hearing impaired community not just that their are a lot of souls that need to be reach their lost and as a child of God that is a job that needs to be done my sisters and brothers lets work and fight the good fight let’s be the example to the world it’s not going to be easy but we have power let’s use it lets agree in prayer that power right there for an example which is my new favorite movie “War Room ” that movie was so powerful that I watch it about 3 times to the point I took notes it was amazing because when I watch it the first time some of the things that I wrote in my journal was different when I watch it the 2nd and 3rd time when I go through it I dive into my word and pray I beat satan down there is power in Jesus when I watch the movie 2nd and 3rd time it was because God told me too and it was amazing so stay encouraged and God bless.
This is great!
This is so good. I have never heard of this hymn, that I can remember. It’s so beautiful. It would be great if someone made a recording of it updated for today.
Blessed Jesus by CXVi is a recording of the hymn, it keeps the words pretty much the same but the music is updated!
I am trying to turn to God first thing instead of social media
Amen Samantha. I am also and my days begin in such a better way. Sets the tone for the entire day.
You are not alone.And to think i justify it sometimes when His Word fills me up and has no comparison – none at all – to social media.
I am going through difficult days battling anxiety and this is a timely reminder to look to the Good Shepherd.
Praying for you, Angela.
Wow Beautiful !
I have always loved Psalm 23:5 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
I just love that it says “in the presence of my enemies”, like no matter what I am going through, no matter what I may be feeling or who may be coming up against me, HE is preparing a table for me. Even in those moments of despair and pain, He is making preparations. This has always been so comforting to me!
http://www.littlelightonahill.com
Thanks for sharing this reminder Kari! I needed to read this today.
“He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake”
I love this verse right here. He renews my life, always! Thank you Lord for NEW life
http://www.in-due-time.com
“Thou hast promised to receive us, Poor and sinful though we be; Thou hast mercy to relieve us, Grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free…” Such a beautiful reminder of our salvation this morning… Through His Grace we are clean!
I don’t know if this has been shared yet, but I really enjoyed Leigh Nash’s version of this hymn: https://youtu.be/SooFL-X7vnk
This is my favorite version of this hymn!
Found this version on YT also. Love it. Psalm 23 is so special to me in many ways – the first psalm I ever memorized as a child. I hold to the truth that He will never abandon me! What a precious promise that soothes the soul.
My favorite as well! Beautifully worded, and it truly hits home for me today.
The Scriptures and hymns have flooded my heart and mind with great peace and comfort this morning. Truly grateful! I love this study!
Me too! His loving kindness fills my heart with joy…thank You Blessed Jesus ❤️
“I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me…” How comforting and thankful I am that He can be known by us. What a precious thing to me!
These words give me so much comfort and peace. He keeps me and runs after me when I stray. He doesn’t wait on me to ask for Him to help me. I belong to Him and He keeps me close. Oh how I need this reassurance on a daily basis these days. To start my day hearing my Savior’s promises makes such a difference in my attitude. Thank you Jesus!! Thank you SRT!
How timely this study of Scripture and these hymns! Coming on the heels of last evening’s presidential debate, how reassuring to read Psalm 23, Micah 7:7, John 10:7-18 and the lyrics of this hymn this morning. He is a good shepherd. He is the only door. I will look to the Lord. Yes. Yes. Yes.
“Keep thy flock, from sin defend us // Seek us when we go astray.” God’s work in my life extends beyond providing peace and rest. He is a warrior, fighting on my behalf. He never rests, never stops drawing me back to him with His love and grace.
provider, warrior, and so much more! Amen, and thank you!
Needed this! So often I work myself up and don’t find much earthly rest (especially being sick right now) but knowing that when I am still, I can lean on God for strength
I’m listening to some podcasts from Passion City Church, where Louie Giglio is the pastor. He is preaching a series through Psalm 23. How appropriate that this is today’s devotion. Lord, you know what I need to hear and have reiterated even before I. Praise His Name.
One thing that sticks out for me is the second verse. “He makes me lie down…” How often do we need that rest in Jesus and we get so busy we don’t take it. But God. God knows. Maybe we get sick and can’t go to work and it’s just us by ourselves doing nothing. God knows. He knows we need the quiet. The time to rest in Him.
I hope that makes sense. That’s my heart this morning ladies. God bless you all this morning. Have a wonderful day!
Perfect sense. God bless your day.