This song grew from one of the final sermons preached by Dr. Howard Edington, a sermon delivered at the loving insistence of his wife.
Dr. Edington turned to one of the most familiar and comforting passages in all of Scripture—Psalm 23. Written by King David, a shepherd who became a king, its six verses have brought comfort, assurance, and hope to generations: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
In his sermon, Dr. Edington took those familiar words beyond their poetic beauty and explored the meaning behind David’s images—the shepherd, the green pastures, still waters, paths of righteousness, the dark valley, the rod and staff, the prepared table, the anointing oil, the overflowing cup, and finally, goodness and mercy leading us home.
The song follows that journey. Portions of Psalm 23 are spoken just as David wrote them, followed by verses drawn from Dr. Edington’s teaching and reflections on their meaning. Scripture, sermon, and music come together to retell the message of the Shepherd who provides, leads, restores, protects, heals, and never abandons His sheep.
"The Greatest Songwriter’s Greatest Song" is ultimately about why David’s ancient words still speak so powerfully to us today. Through green pastures and dark valleys alike, the promise remains the same: “for Thou art with me.”
LYRICS
Give me Jesus, Lord. Give me Jesus.
You can have all the rest.
Just give me Jesus.
The 23rd Psalm is loved the whole world over,
But Scotland holds it near;
In church and home its sacred words
Are sung from year to year.
Before David ever wore a crown,
He watched his sheep on grazing ground.
And when the shepherd rose to king,
The greatest songwriter wrote his greatest song.
The Lord is my shepherd.
I shall not want.
Though David wore a kingly crown,
He knew that God was the Shepherd true;
He meets us, low or humble, where we stand,
And guides us safely through.
He maketh me to lie down
In green pastures.
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul.
Like sheep, we settle where it’s safe,
On easy, familiar ground;
But You lead us toward the higher hills,
Where richer grass is found.
Still waters standing long grow stale,
So onward we are led;
To living waters flowing free,
Where You restore the soul in me.
He leadeth me in paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
For righteousness is living right,
The daily path You lead;
Through prayer and worship and Your Word,
You give us what we need.
Your Word, Your way, Your will each day
Must shape the road we go.
Yea, though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
For Thou art with me.
Thy rod and Thy staff,
They comfort me.
The road from Jerusalem to Jericho
Ran through a valley dark and deep;
There David turned from speaking of
To speaking straight to You.
One little “R” turns “though” to “through,”
Crossed fingers form the cross;
Your rod protects, Your staff will guide;
Through every valley, You stay by my side.
Thou preparest a table before me
In the presence of mine enemies.
Thou anointest my head with oil.
My cup runneth over.
Across the high tableland,
You clear the poison weed;
You search each wound and pour the oil,
And soothe us in our need.
Your cup runs deep and overflows,
With grace so full and free;
Immersed in Christ, forgiven, new,
We find abundant life in Thee.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
A Scottish shepherd named his dogs
Goodness and Mercy too;
They kept his sheep together,
And led them safely home.
So Goodness and Your Mercy, Lord,
Still lead us home to You.
Soli Deo gloria
To God alone be the glory
Amen and amen.
Scripture: Psalm 23 (KJV)