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.
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’