He Restoreth My Soul (Poem)

He Restoreth My Soul

 

Gently guiding, prompting, leading

this wandering sheep back into the fold;

By the streams of living waters,

in the pathways that are old;

Resting, restoring, renewing

for my spirit that once was so dry;

Graceful showers of blessing falling,

Refreshing from the Lord on High.

 

From strength to strength, my Lord is leading,

preparing my heart and showing the way;

From my shadows into His presence,

His Word shines out as clear as day;

From weak and faltering footsteps,

to steadfast assurance as I pray;

His Spirit is there to remind me,

His strength is sufficient for today.

 

From faith to faith, Jesus is leading

in the paths of righteousness, I see;

There's a new purpose and fulfillment,

learning the plans that He has for me;

Peace and contentment flood my soul,

from the goodness that He has in store;

God's mercies and lovingkindnesses

will be my song forevermore.

 

August 3rd, 2016

Jerry Bouey

 

Psalms 23:1-3 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 

I thought Through Darkened Skies was the first poem I had written in nine or ten years, but I found this in the Notes on my phone tonight - from almost five years ago. I hope it is a blessing to you.

The 23rd Psalm - Assurance (Poem)

The 23rd Psalm - Assurance

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD...
That's Relationship!

I SHALL NOT WANT...
That's Supply!

HE MAKETH ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES...
That's Rest!

HE LEADETH ME BESIDE THE STILL WATERS...
That's Refreshment!

HE RESTORETH MY SOUL...
That's Healing!

HE LEADETH ME IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS...
That's Guidance!

FOR HIS NAME SAKE...
That's Purpose!

YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH...
That's Challenge!

I WILL FEAR NO EVIL...
That's Assurance!

FOR THOU ART WITH ME...
That's Faithfulness!

THY ROD AND THY STAFF THEY COMFORT ME...
That's Shelter!

THOU PREPAREST A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES...
That's Hope!

THOU ANOINEST MY HEAD WITH OIL...
That's Consecration!

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER...
That's Abundance!

SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE...
That's Blessing!

AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD...
That's Security!

FOREVER...
That's Eternity!

~Author Unknown~

A good way to read this Psalm is by asking the question, "What shall I not want?"

I shall not want--
Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures.
Drink -- for He leadeth me beside the still waters.
Forgiveness -- for He restoreth my soul.
Guidance -- for He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.
Companionship -- for Thou art with me.
Comfort -- for Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me.
Food -- for Thou preparest a table before me.
Victory -- in the presence of mine enemies.
Joy -- Thou anointest my head with oil.
Overrunning joy -- for my cup runneth over.
Everything in time -- for goodness and mercy shall follow me.
Everything in eternity -- for I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Quoted from The Annotated Bible by Arno Clement Gaebelein

The Lord Is My Shepherd (Poem)

The Lord Is My Shepherd

The Lord is my Shepherd, This I surely know.
He gently leads and guides me in the way that I should go.
He leads in green pastures by the water that is still,
Where I can lay down in peace, and know that He is real.

He leads in paths of righteousness, this is for His Name's sake,
The path is so wonderful, no other would I take.
Sometimes He leads in valleys where His face I cannot see.
But I will fear no evil for I know He's there with me.

His rod and staff - they comfort, I wonder what I would do
Without His Love and Mercy to bring me safely through?
When the enemy opresses hard - A table He doth spread,
He anoints me with fresh oil, I have not a thing to fear.

Sometimes my cup runneth over and I feel so compelled
To think of my Great Shepherd - and to others tell
Of His Goodness, Love and Mercy that will follow me all my life,
If I stay true and follow Him and keep my soul upright.

One day I'll dwell in the house that He has gone to prepare
But I will first find my Shepherd, Who helped me to get there.
Then I'll enjoy the splendor of that city so fair
Where we can rest in peace and not have a care.

~Aliene Sanchez~
(Used With Permission)

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 10:14

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
John 10:27

The Valley Of Faith (Poem)

The year this poem was written was the first year I conquered the depression in my life (and have not been overwhelmed with it since). I remember meditating upon Psalm 23 and thinking it was a wonderful testimony of David's trust in the Lord his God. I wanted that same testimony to be mine (not just to be able to claim the promises contained herein, but also to have others look at my walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, and say that this is my testimony too). This poem came out of those musings.

The Valley Of Faith
(Based on Psalm 23)

The Lord is my Shepherd.
He’s proven faithful throughout the years.
Though I walk through death’s dark valley,
His grace calmly soothes all my fears.

As I closely follow His leading,
He provides for my every need.
Oh, the waters are so peaceful,
And the pastures are rich indeed!

When I get weary and heavy laden,
When the labour of love takes its toll,
I go to the Shepherd for refreshing,
And He gently restores my soul.

As I lean upon the Shepherd,
He guides me in the path that's right.
When the shadows seem so gloomy,
The Lord is my Lamp and my Light.

The Shepherd's name is so precious;
Like ointment poured forth to me.
Jesus' name means He's the "Saviour",
And He gives life abundantly.

Yea, though I walk through this valley,
No sudden fears will bar my way.
His rod and staff are there to guide me,
And bring me back whenever I stray.

Though my enemies may surround me,
My Lord, omnipotent, still provides,
And though evil forces may assail me,
Within, God's perfect peace still abides.

Anointed with God's Spirit,
And overflowing with His love,
My cup indeed is running over
With showers of blessing from above.

Amazed with His goodness and mercy,
By His grace, in this pasture, I roam.
How I rejoice to see that day
When the Good Shepherd leads me home.

October 12th, 2001
Jerry Bouey

I Am the Good Shepherd:
the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.
I Am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep,
and am known of Mine.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them,
and they follow Me:
And I give unto them eternal life;
and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.
John 10:11, 14, 27-28

The Ninety And The Nine (Hymn)

The Ninety And The Nine

There were ninety and nine that safely lay
In the shelter of the fold,
But one was out on the hills away,
Far off from the gates of gold --
Away on the mountains wild and bare,
Away from the tender Shepherd's care.

Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine;
Are they not enough for Thee?
But the Shepherd made answer, "This of mine
Has wandered away from me,
And although the road be rough and steep,
I go to the desert to find my sheep."

But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed,
Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed through
Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Out in the desert He heard its cry --
Sick and helpless, and ready to die.

Lord, whence are those blood-drops all the way
That mark out the mountain's track?
They were shed for one who had gone astray
Ere the Shepherd could bring him back.
Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn?
They are pierced tonight by many a thorn.

But all through the mountains, thunder-riven,
And up from the rocky steep,
There arose a glad cry to the gates of heaven,
Rejoice! I have found my sheep!
And the angels echoed around the throne,
Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!

Lyrics by Elizabeth C. Clephane
Music by Ira Sankey

Through This Valley (Poem)

Poem for Thursday

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

Through This Valley
(Dedicated to my Mom, with love)

There's a shadow looming over me, and the pain is often near;
There's a storm cloud on the horizon, and the thunder causes fear;
But in the midst of this uncertainty, MY LORD IS ALWAYS HERE!

Through this Valley, with these tears, walking onward I go,
Not running in a hurry, nor lagging behind too slow;
For there's a peace within my heart - MY LORD IS HERE - I KNOW!

The journey can't be much longer - oh, this body aches and moans;
Though just around another corner, ahead is my eternal home;
And I know within THIS Valley, I AM NOT WALKING ALONE!

There's a hand that I am holding,
though the path is rough and steep;
There's a promise that I can cling to,
that I know my Lord will keep -
FOR THE LORD IS STILL MY SHEPHERD,
AND I AM STILL HIS SHEEP!

Oh, what is that on the horizon? A glimpse of golden streets...
My heart's so filled with wonder - as face to face we meet -
Now with joy I can see Jesus - and I worship at His feet;
THROUGH THIS VALLEY, TO THE SAVIOUR,
and my journey is complete.

September 19th/05
Jerry Bouey

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalm 23:6

Written about 2 days before my Mom went home to be with the Lord - this was written just before I left for work (for my graveyard shift) on the 19th of September, and my Mom passed away early in the morning on the 22nd.

The Straying Lamb (Poem)

This is one of those hard-hitting poems that sticks with you - all about how the Lord chastises His children, in a similar manner to a shepherd chastising one of his straying sheep.

The Straying Lamb

The Shepherd loved His little lamb,
And gave it His tender care...
And followed it with His loving eyes
As it wandered here and there.

And as He sat by His grazing flock
Who so meekly His voice obeyed,
He pondered sadly His little lamb
As again and again it strayed.

The little lamb had a loving heart,
And adored His Shepherd, true,
But would turn aside and seek his own way
As lambs will so often do.

With His gentle voice the Shepherd called,
To His loved and straying lamb,
"Come back, little one, for you are not safe
Unless you are where I am."

But still the lamb would soon forget
And unthinkingly wander away,
And not really noticing what he did,
From the Shepherd's side would stray.

Until one day, the Shepherd kind
Took His rod in His gentle hand,
And what He then did seemed so cruel
That the lamb could not understand.

For with one sharp and well-aimed blow
Down the rod so swiftly came
That it broke the leg of the little lamb
And left it crippled, and lame.

Then the little lamb, with a cry of pain,
Fell down upon his knees...
And looked up at his Shepherd, as though to say,
"Won't you explain this, please?"

Then he saw the love in the Shepherd's eyes
As the tears ran down His face,
As He tenderly set the broken bone,
And bound it back in it's place.

Now he was utterly helpless,
He could not even stand!
He must trust himself completely
To his Shepherd's loving hand.

Then day by day, 'till the lamb was healed
From the flock he was kept apart...
And carried about in the Shepherd's arms,
And cradled near to His heart.

And the Shepherd would whisper gentle words
Into his now listening ear...
Thus he heard sweet words of love
That the other sheep could not hear.

He felt the warmth of the Shepherd's arms
And the beat of His faithful heart...
Until it came a blessing to seem,
By his weakness to be set apart.

Every need of the little lamb
By his Shepherd so fully was met
That through his brokenness he learned
What he never again would forget.

And as the broken bone was healed,
And once more became whole and strong...
Wherever the Shepherd's path would lead,
The lamb would follow along.

Thus at the Shepherd's side he walked
So closely, day by day,
For once a lamb has a broken leg
It will never again go astray.

For the cords of love had bound it so
In its hour of weakness and need...
That it had no desire to wander away,
When once again it was freed.

Could it be you are broken today,
And you cannot understand
The painful blow of the Shepherd's rod
Nor believe it came from His hand?

He only seeks, by this painful thing,
For a time to call you apart...
To cradle you close in His loving arms,
And draw you near to His heart.

So look up into your Shepherd's eyes,
And earnestly seek His face...
And prove in the hour of your weakness and need
The sufficiency of His grace.

For as you are borne in His loving arms,
And carried there, day by day...
He will bind you so close with the cords of His love
That never again will you stray!

Author Unknown.

Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.