Psalm 23 Psalm 23 was not used for funerals until the 1928 revision of the prayer book. The theme of God as a shepherd was common in ancient Israel and Mesopotamia. For example, King Hammurabi, in the conclusion to his famous legal code, wrote: "I am the shepherd who brings well-being and abundant prosperity; my rule is just... so that the strong might not oppress the weak, and that even the orphan and the widow might be treated with justice." This imagery and language was well known to the community that created the Psalm, and was easily imported into its worship. Psalm
Great Is the Lord Great Is the Lord "Great Is the Lord" is a popular Christian worship song written in 1982 by Debbie and Michael W. Smith. The couple were at the time active members of Belmont Church on Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee and were seeking to augment the music. The inspiration for the lyrics were drawn from Psalm 145:3, "Great is the Lord and most worthy of Praise". The song is sung in churches of many denominations and is included in many hymnal supplements. Musically, the song is a mix between the pop and worship styles of the day. The song is