2. Hope that’s personal

The second hymn in the funeral service was ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’, sung to the tune of Crimond.

This setting of the twenty-third psalm is a popular choice at funerals. But it was also sung at the wedding of the Queen and Prince Philip, in 1947. It is appropriate on both types of occasion, because the psalm is full of encouragement for the present, and hope for the future.

The first hymn was about people who trust the promises of Scripture right now, in a hard world, because they are looking forward to something better in the future – something that will last forever. This hymn goes a bit further. It says that right now, in a hard world, God will be our shepherd, if we’ll have him; and if we will, then in the future, he will be our host at the grandest of all parties.

Notice that this is where it all gets personal. What does it take to be in that crowd of people who smile at the storms of life, knowing that the best is yet to come? Let’s be clear: it means that you accept that you’re a sheep. Not a sheep of the cuddly story-book variety, but a sheep that is prone to wander, getting into scrapes and all kinds of danger. That sort of sheep needs a very skilful shepherd.

Well, God is the best in the business. He leads us, he restores us, and he comforts us: when we need it most, walking through “death’s dark vale.” He is the greatest shepherd bar none. In this life, if we have this shepherd, we have all we need, so we’ll “not want.” And we’ll be secure in his care, even when times are tough: a sheep will only lie down in “pastures green” if it is safe to do so.

So God will always be the greatest shepherd, for the whole of the sheep’s life. And once the end comes, the picture changes. The scene is one of a party: a table, laden with good things. And God is no longer the shepherd: he’s the host, and what a generous host! The oil and overflowing cup are signs of just how kind and lavish this host wants to be.

A huge party might seem far removed from the solemn occasion of the Queen’s state funeral. But Christians around the world are looking forward to an everlasting party in glory, when their days are over. I’m sure that the Queen, as a Christian, was no different. She lived her life believing that God is a loving shepherd, and looked forward to meeting him as a loving host.

Do you see how warm and personal this is? This hymn was not just a nod to a previous service, a happy occasion held long ago. It was a reminder, straight from the psalms, of the tender care of a shepherd right now, and of the warm welcome of a host to his party in the future. Christians are those who know God in this way, and only because Jesus Christ went ahead of them: Jesus passed through death’s dark vale trusting his Father, and came out the other side in new resurrection life.

This hymn preaches that the hope held out in the Bible is a personal hope. Shepherds are only as good as their knowledge of each sheep in their care. Hosts are only as good as their attention to each honoured guest. On both counts, God could not score more highly. This hymn was both a reminder of his loving kindness, and an invitation to those present and watching on screen to sing along. Will you sing that the Lord is your shepherd?

Where to find it in the Bible: Psalm 23