It is but the shadow of death: the shadow of a serpent will not sting, nor the shadow of a sword kill. But even in this there are words which lessen the terror.
Between the part of the flock on earth and that which is gone to heaven, death lies like a dark valley that must be passed in going from one to the other. The valley of the shadow of death may denote the most severe and terrible affliction, or dark dispensation of providence, that the psalmist ever could come under. Discontent and distrust proceed from unbelief an unsteady walk is the consequence: let us then simply trust our Shepherd's care, and hearken to his voice. God lead us into them, and lead us on in them. The way of duty is the truly pleasant way. Those only are led by the still waters of comfort, who walk in the paths of righteousness. The consolations of the Holy Spirit are the still waters by which the saints are led the streams which flow from the Fountain of living waters. Are we blessed with the green pastures of the ordinances, let us not think it enough to pass through them, but let us abide in them. The Lord gives quiet and contentment in the mind, whatever the lot is. The greatest abundance is but a dry pasture to a wicked man, who relishes in it only what pleases the senses but to a godly man, who by faith tastes the goodness of God in all his enjoyments, though he has but little of the world, it is a green pasture. A flock of sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures, under the care of a skilful, watchful, and tender shepherd, forms an emblem of believers brought back to the Shepherd of their souls. With joy he reflects that he has a shepherd, and that shepherd is Jehovah. "The Lord is my shepherd." In these words, the believer is taught to express his satisfaction in the care of the great Pastor of the universe, the Redeemer and Preserver of men. When I walk through the dark lonesome valley, my Savior will walk with me there Īnd safely His great hand will lead me to the mansions He’s gone to prepare.Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 23:6 Chapter Contents He leads me beside the still waters He guards me each step of the way. He restoreth my soul when I’m weary He giveth me strength day by day Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
When Jesus the kind Shepherd found me, and now I am on my way home. Read this hymn, and – today – pray it as your own personal testimony.Ī pilgrim was I, and a wandering, in the cold night of sin I did roam, So, this song was born… emphasizing God’s goodness and mercy as well as God’s guidance through cold nights and lonesome valleys. Al was apparently thinking of “Good Miss Murphy”, and John’s mind went back to his days in the air force during World War 2… when he often gave thanks to the Good Shepherd for taking care of His sheep. They thought about a new approach to Psalm 23. “For no particular reason I can remember,” Peterson says, “we started to develop a new song”. One day, Peterson was improvising at his piano as Al came into the room. Peterson in one of the largest gospel-music companies of the mid-20 th century. Sometimes, the inspiration for a gospel song comes from strange places!Īt the time Al received that letter, he was associated with composer John W.
Bliss’ teacher’s name was Miss Murphy, and little Philip learned the Psalm this way: “Surely, good Miss Murphy shall follow me all the days of my life”. The letter told Al the story of how Philip Bliss learned the 23 rd Psalm before he could read or write. Smith (1916-2001), a music publisher and songwriter, received a letter from a descendant of Philip Bliss, a 19 th-century gospel composer. SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY written in 1958Īlfred B.
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