Safe By Thy Side I Go

The Fourth Sunday of Easter, as we have observed before, is also called Good Shepherd Sunday in some traditions. Psalm 23, undoubtedly the best known and best-loved of all the one hundred-fifty Psalms is always among the readings, as are other scripture lessons that use this metaphor for Jesus.

There are surely many hymns that speak of Jesus as a Shepherd tending a flock, and a good subset of these are actual paraphrases of Psalm 23. We have already seen four different ones of these over the last three years, and here is one more. I don't think we will run out of them for quite a while.

Thou art my Shepherd,
Caring in every need,
Thy loving lamb to feed,
Trusting thee still.
In the green pastures low,
Where living waters flow,
Safe by thy side I go,
Fearing no ill.

Or if my way lie
Where storms are raging nigh,
Nothing can terrify,
I trust thee still.
How can I be afraid,
While softly on my head
Thy tender hand is laid?
I fear no ill.

Goodness and mercy
Ever shall follow me,
Till by thy grace I see
Thy holy hill;
Christ, in that home with thee,
Joyful eternally,
Folded thy flock shall be,
Safe from all ill.

Elsie Thalheimer, c. 1866
st. 3, Margaret S. Haycraft; alt.
Tune: LYNDE
Thuringian folk tune,
arr.John Baptist Cramer, 19th cent.

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