My Shepherd will Supply my Need
traditional, arranged by Virgil Thomson

An original poem (based loosely on Psalm 23) and traditional melody from the southern United States. Thomson’s attractive accompaniment requires notoriously difficult fingering.

My shepherd will supply my need, God and Father is His name.
In pastures fresh he makes me feed beside the living stream.
He brings my wandr’ing spirit back, should I forsake his ways.
He leads me for his mercy’s sake in paths of truth and grace.
Yea, though I walk through shades of death, thy power is still my stay.
One word of thy supporting breath drives all my fears away.
Thy hand in sight of all my foes doth still my table spread.
My cup with blessings overflows, thine oil anoints my head.
The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days.
Forever thy house is my abode and all my work is praise.
For there I find a settled rest, from God I cannot roam:
No more a stranger but a guest, and in truth a child at home.