Peters on Prayer II: Speaking of "The King of Love..."

Speaking of "The King of Love My Shepherd Is," Pastor Peters has another excellent post on prayer titled Whose Goodness Faileth Never.  The title comes from the second phrase of the first verse.

The King of love my shepherd is

Whose goodness faileth never.

I nothing lack if I am His

And He is mine forever.

Pastor Peters writes

The purpose of prayer is not to achieve the desired outcome (healing, lengthening of life, material goods and resources, certain feelings, etc.). The purpose of prayer is for me to trust in the goodness of the Lord which never fails and which can never fail me. It is my confidence in this goodness that is the object of my prayer.

And for those of you who know this text to be paired with the tune St. Columba, here is a wonderful setting.

Where streams of living water flow,

My ransomed soul he leadeth

And, where the verdant pastures grow,

With food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,

But yet in love he sought me

And on his shoulder gently laid

And home rejoicing brought me.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill

With thee, dear Lord, beside me,

Thy rod and staff my comfort still,

Thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spredst a table in my sight;

Thine unction grace bestoweth;

And, oh, what transport of delight

From thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days

Thy goodness faileth never.

Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise

Within thy house forever.