“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

These familiar words from Psalm 23 and John 10 have been cherished by Christians throughout the ages for the deep comfort they bring. Also beloved are the hymns inspired by them—and it is these “Good Shepherd” hymns that are the focus in this Easter season Hymn Sing with Sarah episode.

Beginning with a broader discussion of the historical names and meanings of the Sundays between Easter and Pentecost (Quasimodo Geniti, Misericordias Domini, Jubilate, Cantate, Rogate, and Exaudi), Sarah then hones in on hymns and readings for Misericordias Domini ("the steadfast love of the Lord”), known in common parlance as Good Shepherd Sunday.

Sarah tells the stories behind three of the most popular Good Shepherd hymns—“The King of Love My Shepherd Is” (LSB 709), “The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want” (LSB 710), and “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” (LSB 711)—before inviting Erin, Bri, and Rachel to discuss their own favorite hymns in the genre.

Links referenced in this episode include:

• The original tune for LSB 709 (“The King of Love My Shepherd Is”)
• A favorite homily on the Good Shepherd by the Rev. William Weedon

Special thanks to Cantor Phillip Magness and Luther Gulseth for recording these hymns for this episode.

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