Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—Jn 1:12
VERSE 1
EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL FOR YOU LORD ARE WITH ME SURELY GOODNESS AND LOVE WILL FOLLOW ALL MY DAYS, THE MY DAYS OF MY LIFE, AND I WILL DWELL IN YOUR HOUSE LORD FOREVER AND EVER |
COMMENTARY
Even when I am in a valley, a low point, hemmed in, God will walk me through it. I will not fear because I know that God loves me and His promise is to never leave or forsake me. He is the Good Shepherd who laid His life down for me. Jesus took away the sting of death, now it is but a shadow. A shadow is not tangible and cannot hurt me; neither can the shadow of death, as Jesus defeated death through His resurrection. When I pass from this life to my eternal home, I know I will be loved and comforted by God.
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CHORUS
LORD YOU ARE MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT YOU MAKE ME LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES, LEADING ME BESIDE THE STILL WATERS RESTORING MY SOUL |
A Shepherd lived with his flock and was their protector, guide and provider. God is my Shepherd; therefore there is nothing that I lack. He comforts, cares and feeds me with His Word. His Holy Spirit refreshes me with His thoughts and encourages me to victory. I am at peace to lie down because He has settled my fear and my soul He has renewed to righteous living. |
VERSE 2
YOU PREPARE A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL AND MY CUP OVERFLOWS YOU GIVE ME DRINK FROM YOUR FOUNTAIN, THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE FOR YOUR LOVE REACHES THE HEAVENS AND YOUR FAITHFULNESS THE SKIES |
“A table” suggests bounty; “prepare” infers forethought and care, while “before me” implies a personal connection. All of this is in the midst of my enemies, which reminds me that even in my worse trial God has blessings for me. It is in these circumstances that my cup overflows and I experience God’s goodness, love and faithfulness. I am filled with His life.
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CHORUS | |
VERSE 3
I WORSHIP YOU LORD, IN ALL YOUR HOLINESS FOR YOUR GREAT JUSTICE I SING YOUR PRAISES YOU SET ME HIGH UPON A ROCK TO GAZE, TO GAZE UPON YOUR BEAUTY I DECLARE YOUR NAME LORD IN A CONGREGATION OF PRAISE
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God is My Good Shepherd so I worship Him for His care of me. God is holy and just so I exalt Him. He pulled me up from the mire and set my feet on His solid foundation so I gaze and wonder in awe at His beauty and declare His name with praise to all I meet.
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CHORUS 2x | CONCLUSION:
The more I get to know God, the more I marvel at His goodness. When you experience a trial remember the same sun hardens clay but melts wax. Let God be your Shepherd and you will discover His true beauty! |
Eternal worth is based on “Identity”. The world offers many fruitless attempts at fulfilling significance.
-Outer Identity: built on me, or opinions of others on how they view me.
– physical: appearance (beauty queen/body builder), skill (musician/athlete), actions (good person, alcoholic, thief, liar, homosexual).
-psychological: intelligence (scientist, scholar, writer, mathematician)
-social: acceptance (by others), wealth (millionaire), influence (job title, fame, power), ancestry (family tree).
-Inner Identity- built on God’s opinion of me. Gen 1:27,31; Lk 12:6,7
-spiritual: gift Eph 2:8 (child of God Jn 1:12; 1 Jn 4:19).
IT’S THE MERCY OF GOD THAT I AM ALIVE TODAY IT’S THE MERCY OF GOD THAT HE DREW ME TO HIS WAY IT’S THE MERCY OF GOD THAT I AM WHO I AM IT’S THE MERCY OF GOD THAT I’M NO LONGER DAMNED |
God is the reason I am alive today. He is the reason I understand eternal life, God’s love, my worth and His eternal purpose. |
LIFT ME HIGHER PRECIOUS LORD TO THE HEAVENS LET ME FLY FREE AT LAST I WILL SOAR NOW EVERYDAY I LOVE YOU MORE |
Help me focus on Your heavenly eternal goals and demonstrate my love for You. |
IT’S THE HEART OF GOD THAT SHOWS ME HOW TO LIVE IT’S THE HEART OF GOD THAT LOVED BEFORE I LOVED HIM IT’S THE HEART OF GOD THAT SEEN IN HIS SON IT’S THE HEART OF GOD THAT WAITS AND SUFFERS LONG |
Your sacrificial love for me gives me worth beyond anything in the world could match.
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CHORUS | |
IT’S THE JUSTICE OF GOD THAT WE ARE CALLED TO REPENT IT’S THE JUSTICE OF GOD WHY JESUS CHRIST WAS SENT IT’S THE JUSTICE OF GOD THAT A DAY OF JUDGMENT WILL COME IT’S THE JUSTICE OF GOD THAT WE MUST ANSWER EACH AND EVERYONE |
God will reward all who repent and live for Him with eternal life. Those that refuse His gracious gift of life will be separated from His love forever. |
CHORUS 2x |