Thou Art With Me (No Sweeter Words)

Yesterday a friend asked me where I turn, in scripture, 

for comfort, esp. in the wake of losing a sister I dearly loved. 

I hardly knew what to say at first because many Psalms have comforted me,

 as well as many of Jesus words in the gospels such as John11:24-25, John 14 

and Paul's words of comfort to the church..1 Cor.15, 1 Thess. 4:13-18, 

 but Psalm 23 is a living prayer in my soul...

each verse a ministering breath of Heaven

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: 

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: 

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

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.

5 Thou preparest a table before me 

in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest my head with oil;

 my cup runneth over.

6 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.

He Leadeth Me

Before feet touch the floor each morning

what sweet comfort to whisper

'I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me'...

***

'Thou art with me' no sweeter words 

My mortal tongue can boast

(Save this 'for God so loved the world

He gave his uttermost)

'Thou are with me' no sweeter peace

Can drive dread fear away 

Thy rod and staff will never cease

To be my strength and stay  

'Thou art with me' no sweeter joy

Can comfort sorrow's tear

In vain foes rally to destroy

Faith's confidence and cheer 

  

'Thou art with me' no sweeter Friend

Can help or hear my prayer

No purer knowledge can defend

The path from here to There 

'Thou art with me' no sweeter song

Can fill my heart with praise

Goodness and mercy suffers long

To keep me all my days 

'Thou art with me' I shall not want

Whatever comes my way

Thy Presence thwarts the tempter's taunt

Of 'did God really say?' 

'Thou art with me' to gently lead 

Me to faith's sacred goal

Life's ups and downs cannot impede

The Shepherd of my soul

Janet Martin

Lead Me Gently Home