God Alone may Lead my Spirit (Psalm 23)

This hymn is based on Psalm 23, although it is not a direct translation of the original text.

It was written by by American liturgist and composer Tom Conry (b 1951).

Sheet music is currently available from OCP - link below.

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Examples

Lead singer and congregation - with piano and guitar:

Small band, professionally produced:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here.   However they are available on this website.   The song starts with a four-line chorus, and this is repeated after each of the four verses. A rough outline is:

Chorus:
God alone may lead my spirit
Far away from want and fear,
For the Lord is my true shepherd
And I know that the Lord is near.

1 I am led beside God's peaceful water ...

2 Though I wander the valley of dying ...

3 You have spread your banquet before me ...

4 Only mercy and goodness pursue me ...

See more ...

• Hymns based on Psalm 23
• Hymns about the Good Shepherd

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
Chorus:

God alone may lead my spirit
far away from want and fear,
for the Lord is my true Shepherd
and I know the Lord is near.

I am led beside God's peaceful water
and I sleep in the arms of the earth.
Who guides me along paths of honour?
Who refreshes my life from my birth?

Though I wander the valley of dying,
I shall know that I walk in Your sight,
with Your staff that is ever before me
and Your rod to guard at my right.

You have spread Your banquet before me
in the unbroken sight of my foes,
while my head is anointed with kindness
and the cup of my life overflows.

Only mercy and goodness pursue me
while that breath and that justice endure.
And I'll dwell in the house of God's keeping
Who has opened the mouths of the poor.