Artists from the group I Am They rewrote the music to H.W.Baker’s captivating lyrics of today’s hymn, engaging readers and listeners to feel the Love of Jesus Christ, our Great King and Shepherd. The melodic words flow gently and smoothly as they praise our Lord and Saviour.
When it comes to singing and praising our Lord, are we merely ‘singing’ a song, keeping the melody to the best of our ability, and uttering the words? Or are we ‘praising’ our Saviour, the King of Love, who gave His life for us? Are we ‘worshipping’ our King when we praise and sing?
'Sing' defined: To utter sounds with various inflections of melodious modulations of voice. Exodus 32:18 - “… but the noise of them that sing do I hear.”
'Praise' defined: To extol in words or song; to magnify; to glorify on account of perfections or excellent works. Psalms 148:2 - “Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.”
'Worship' defined: To adore; to pay divine honors to; to reverence with supreme respect.
Matthew 4:10 - “… for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
You can 'praise' without singing and worshiping, you can 'sing' without praising and worshiping, and you can 'worship' without singing and praising. The words ‘praise’ and ‘worship’ are often used together but are not synonymous. Worship can take many forms, but we must worship in Spirit and in truth. John 4:24 - “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
1John 4:10 - “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Psalms 150:6 - “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”
Song Lyrics: The King of Love my Shepherd is, Whose goodness faileth never. I nothing lack if I am His and He is mine forever. Where streams of living water flow, my ransomed soul He leadeth; and where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth. Never failing, Ruler of my heart! Everlasting, Lover of my soul on the mountain high or in the valley low, The King of Love my Shepherd is! Lost and foolish off I strayed, but yet in love He sought me; and on His shoulder gently laid and home rejoicing brought me. In death’s dark veil I fear no ill with Thee, dear Lord, beside me. Thy rod and staff my comfort still, Thy Cross before to guide me. Oh, Hallelujah, Hallelujah! And so through all the length of days, Thy goodness faileth never. Good Shepherd, may I sing Your praise within Your house forever!
Glory and honour are due His Name! Whether God gave you a beautiful voice or not isn’t the point. Sing from the heart and make a joyful noise ... it’s all beautiful to Him! The King of Love is worthy of our praise.
Writer(s): H.W. Baker (1868), A.Palmer, S.Kulla, J.Smith, S.Garrard, M.Hein
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