7 Worship Songs About The Shepherd (Psalm 23 & Guidance)

Psalm 23 is the most famous song in the Bible for a reason. It paints a picture of God not as a distant King, but as a close Shepherd who leads, feeds, and protects His flock. In seasons of uncertainty, the church needs songs that remind us we are not wandering aimlessly; we are being led.

These songs are anthems of trust. They celebrate the guidance of God, declaring that because He is our Shepherd, we have everything we need.

Why These Songs Bring Peace

We selected these songs because:

  • They are relational. They use intimate language like “lead me,” “guide me,” and “walk with me.”
  • They are restful. They focus on the “green pastures” and “still waters” of God’s presence.
  • They are confident. They declare that goodness and mercy are following us, not judgment.

7 Songs To Follow Him

  1. Lead On Good Shepherd – “Step by step… I will follow You.” This song by Patrick Mayberry is a joyful dedication to following God’s lead. It acknowledges that the path isn’t always easy (“valleys”), but the Shepherd is always good.
  2. Goodness Of God – “Your goodness is running after me.” This is the Psalm 23 anthem of our generation. The bridge (“Your goodness is running after me”) is a direct paraphrase of the verse, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.”
  3. King Of My Heart – “You are the shadow where I hide.” While it calls Him King, the lyrics describe a Shepherd. It speaks of God as a “mountain,” “shadow,” and “wind,” metaphors of protection and guidance for the believer.
  4. Abide – “You’re the kindness that draws us in.” Psalm 23 speaks of lying down in green pastures. This song is an invitation to do exactly that—to stop striving and simply “abide” in the care of the Father.
  5. Trust In God – “I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered.” Trust is the currency of the sheep. This song recounts God’s history of faithfulness, giving us the confidence to follow Him into the future.
  6. Way Maker – “Way maker, miracle worker.” A shepherd’s job is to make a way where there is no path. This song celebrates God’s ability to lead us through the “wilderness” seasons of life.
  7. Great Is Thy Faithfulness – “All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.” The ultimate promise of the Shepherd is provision. This hymn anchors our heart in the truth that God has never failed to supply what we need.

Example “Guidance” Setlists

Setlist 1 (The Green Pasture)

  1. Abide – The invitation to rest.
  2. Goodness Of God – The testimony of care.
  3. Great Is Thy Faithfulness – The assurance.

Setlist 2 (The Path)

  1. Lead On Good Shepherd – The commitment.
  2. Way Maker – The breakthrough.
  3. Trust In God – The declaration.

How To Use These Songs In Your Church

  • Read the Psalm. You can’t improve on Scripture. Before singing Lead On Good Shepherd, read Psalm 23 slowly over an instrumental pad. Let the words wash over the room.
  • Define “Goodness.” When introducing Goodness Of God, remind people that God’s goodness isn’t just about giving us things; it’s about His nearness in the “darkest night.”
  • The “Rest” Pause. After singing Abide, give the church permission to sit in silence for 60 seconds. In a noisy world, silence is a rare gift that allows the soul to catch up with the body.

Next Steps

Sheep don’t stress; they just follow. This Sunday, use Lead On Good Shepherd to take the pressure off your congregation to figure everything out, and put the focus back on the One who knows the way.