Day 11

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

from the reading plan


Psalm 23:1-6, Micah 7:7, John 10:7-18


“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” was first published in 1836, in a collection of songs titled Hymns for the Young, compiled by Dorothy Thrupp. While its composition is sometimes attributed to Thrupp, some publications do not credit her at all, citing the writer as anonymous.

Why Thrupp did not credit herself as the writer, we may never know. Regardless, the gospel truths echoed in this hymn belong to all of us, those who are childlike in both stature and faith (Bailey 184).

Today, this hymn remains a strong, timeless invitation and prayerful response to the imagery found in Psalm 23. While the psalmist affirms the Lord’s faithfulness and goodness, the hymn writer actively calls upon God out of personal need. When coupled together, the psalm and hymn serve as a call-and-response:

“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack” (v. 1).
Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care.

“He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters” (v. 2).
In Thy pleasant pastures, feed us.

“He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake” (v. 3).
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

Our endless call to our Shepherd is that of lost, needy, hungry children, and His response is love. We are His lambs—tender, wandering, forgetful—and yet He leads us still. He is our sure comfort and restful pasture. May we continually recall God’s character and call out for His faithful response.   

Thou hast loved us, love us still.

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
By Dorothy A. Thrupp

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

We are Thine, do Thou befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray.

Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee.

Early let us seek Thy favor,
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.

Bailey, Albert Edward. The Gospel in Hymns: Backgrounds and Interpretations. New York: Scribner, 1950.  

Post Comments (7)

7 thoughts on "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us"

  1. Carlo Alberto Manalo says:

    Lord I need your guidance as I seem to be losing my way. Lead me back into your fold for I have wandered astray.

  2. Dalton Beaty says:

    “The Lord is my shepherd”
    He makes me lie down in green pastures. The Lord is tending to his sheep (us) and he comforts us, and lets us frolic in his will and creation. He is always tending to our necessities, making sure that his sheep have what they need.
    He says, “I am the good shepherd, I know my own, and my own know me.” How beautiful is it that our shepherd knows us, and we are allowed to know him. Forever grateful for his sacrifice, love, and compassion.
    He is the door, the only door for his sheep. The key verse for the whole passage is that he lay down his life, no one took it from him. The shepherd chose to lay down his life for his sheep.
    What are sheep good for? Nothing, sheep are some of the least intelligent animals on the planet, they have no sense of belonging or direction. They run astray more than any creature of domestic nature. However, the lord loves and cares for us in all times of confusion, and disobedience.

  3. Logan says:

    Leaning on God seems like such an easy task, to let Him lead you in your life. But we don’t always see it that way, and we don’t find the pastures or the still waters that we could with God leading.

  4. Nathan Porter says:

    My wife feels called to leave her job. It’s a great job. Awesome benefits and a great salary. Her faith has always astounded me. She is so strong so courageous that its impossible not to admire that. I on the other hand have always struggled with the unknown. There is no clear plan or path so I am hesitant to give my blessing. We have so many bills that it is often overwhelming for me and I worry about how God will provide. Perhaps it is a simple step of faith God is asking me to take. Maybe I need to trust my Shepard and follow his lead.

  5. Caleb Combs says:

    Jesus bought out reconciliation even though we are prone to wonder. He always leads us back go him as a shepherd always directs its flock in the way they should go. He leads us in his best Interest which are good. The more I realize the grace Jesus has on us the more I feel the weight, the beautiful weight of who he is and his greatness. Lord, lead my house to you today. Show us that you are leading and fill our hearts with more and more revelation of who you are. Lead us to love like you love us.

  6. Sam says:

    Jesus is our Shepard and our caretaker. He loves us enough to lay His own life down for our sake. We need to always remember that He is with us NO MATTER HOW BAD THINGS MAY SEEM. Whatever your worries are today, cast them away and put them in the hands of Jesus who loves you and cares for you infinitely.

  7. Dustin says:

    It’s so reassuring to know that Jesus is my shepherd. He leads me, He protects me, He calls me, He loves me. He doesn’t run from the wolves. He lays down His life to protect me and shows me unending grace. When God looks at me, He doesn’t see my sin and failures, He sees Jesus my shepherd. Jesus is the only way to God and that is such a relief. Nothing I do can gain me forgiveness. Nothing I do can make me good enough. By following Jesus, I am led to the Father.

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