The Shepherd Psalm

Tempo: ♩= 72 BPM (slow, breathing, spacious)
Key: G Major
Instruments: Fingerpicked acoustic guitar, cello or viola (optional), soft brushed drums entering verse 2, light piano filling the bridge, swelling strings on the final chorus
Vocal Direction: Warm and intimate in verses — like a personal testimony. Full and assured on the chorus. The bridge should feel like stepping through a valley

SONG STRUCTURE
Intro: G — D — Em — C (fingerpicked, x2)

Verse 1
(Soft, confessional)
G                    D
The Lord, He is my shepherd
Em                  C
I shall not want for anything
G                      D
He lays me down in green pastures
Em           Dsus4    D
He leads me to still offering

G                    D
He restores my weary soul
Em                     C
He guides me in the paths of right
G                  D
Not for my sake but His glory
Em         D       G
His name is my light

Chorus
(Open, confident, congregational)

        C              G
Even now, even now — You are with me
        Em             D
Even now, even now — I fear nothing
     C                  G
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me
     Em           D          G
You are my God, and You are enough

VERSE 2
(Slightly more tension — the valley)

G                     D
Though I walk through darkest valleys
Em                  C
The shadow of death on every side
G                      D
I will not dread the darkness
Em          Dsus4    D
For You are my guide

G                    D
You prepare a table before me
Em                      C
In the presence of my enemies
G                    D
You anoint my head with oil
Em         D        G
My cup runs over — it overflows with Thee

CHORUS
(Full band, voices join)

        C              G
Even now, even now — You are with me
        Em             D
Even now, even now — I fear nothing
     C                  G
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me
     Em           D          G
You are my God, and You are enough

BRIDGE
(Sparse — cello only, half-time feel)

Am               C
Surely goodness, surely mercy
G                D
Follow me all of my days
Am                   C
I will dwell in Your house forever
G          D         G
And I will lift my voice in praise

Am               C
Surely goodness, surely mercy
G                D
Follow me all of my days
Am                    C
I have seen Your hand upon my life
G           D
And I will trust Your ways

FINAL CHORUS
(Key change up to A, full worship swell)
(Capo 2, same chord shapes — now in A)

        D              A
Even now, even now — You are with me
        F#m            E
Even now, even now — I fear nothing
     D                  A
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me
     F#m          E          A
You are my God, and You are enough

OUTRO
(Slowly, voices only, then fade)

G                Em
The Lord is my shepherd...
C                D
I shall not want...
G                Em
The Lord is my shepherd...
C        D       G
I shall not want...

Genre: Cinematic Folk Worship / Hymn Revival
Feel: Quiet, unhurried, deeply secure like standing in open fields