Jesus Is My Shepherd

Text and music: Tammy Simister Robinson; original language: English

When Tammy Robinson was young, her family took in a motherless lamb. Watching her own mother gently nurture the helpless animal made a profound impression on Sister Robinson’s heart.

Years later, when she was a teenager, she stayed overnight with a friend at a sheepherder camp. During the night, a disturbance caused the sheep to scatter in panic. Then their shepherd stepped forward and called to them. Immediately, the sheep calmed down and returned to the camp. They knew their shepherd’s familiar voice and trusted him.

Sister Robinson drew upon these experiences and Psalm 23 when writing “Jesus Is My Shepherd.” The comforting melody and reassuring lyrics remind us that we are each known and loved by the Savior. He calls us by name, gathers us in moments of fear or wandering, and guides us with His gentle hand.

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Scriptures

Principles

Heavenly Father loves each of us and has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to help us.
Like a shepherd who watches over sheep, Jesus knows us and cares for our needs with love.
If we ever feel lost, we can find safety by following Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Questions to Ponder

Why is Jesus Christ sometimes referred to as our Shepherd?
How can thinking of Jesus Christ as your Shepherd help you to have faith in Him?
What can you do to show Jesus Christ that you want to follow Him?

Related Gospel Study Guides

From Topics and Questions, Gospel Library:

Activities for Families

Follow the shepherd. While the music plays in the background, play a game of follow the leader, with one child as the shepherd and the rest of the family as lambs. The shepherd leads gently and calls each lamb by name, just as the Savior knows and lovingly guides us.

Emphasize the importance of listening to the shepherd’s voice and staying close. You might pause and have the children sing the opening lines: “Jesus is my Shepherd. I’m His precious lamb. Tenderly He guides me with His gentle hand.” After each child has had a turn being the shepherd, sing the first verse of the song together and talk briefly about how we can follow Jesus Christ.
Draw to remember. Give each child a printed copy of the song lyrics. If printing isn’t available to you, a plain sheet of paper will work. As your children listen to the music, invite them to draw simple pictures in the margins to represent the words of each line, such as a shepherd’s staff, a lamb, a hand, blue waves, green grass, or a heart. Sing the song together once the drawings are complete, using them as visual reminders of what each phrase means.

Music Helps

This song includes repeated measures and multiple endings. Music between the repeat signs is played and sung twice. The first time through the song, use the measures for the first ending . Repeat as indicated, this time skipping the first ending and using the second ending instead.
This song uses the tempo-modifying terms rit. and a tempo. Ritardando (rit.) means that the music slows gradually. A tempo means that the music returns to the original speed. When singing in a large group, look to your music leader, who will guide the tempo changes in the music.