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"Psalm 23" by Phil King (feat. Meredith Andrews)

 
 
 

Psalm 23 is one of the most familiar and beloved passages of scripture.

A call and response adaptation in song went viral back before the world changed. Its continued spread helps prove that though everything and everybody shifts, God does not and His Word holds true. At a time when there is more connectivity than there has ever been, mental health studies show the there is a heightened sense of loneliness.

Considering this, we wanted an arrangement of this song that further breaks down the barriers between us and God. So we removed the call and response in hopes of making it even more accessible and usable for worshippers. We wanted each heart to be able sing out in whatever state or place they find themselves; in spite of feelings of isolation, and without a worship leader. The truth is, God promises to never leave us or forsake us. This song echoes with that ancient promise and resounds through the bridge with the revelation, “Your Spirit lives within me!” I Am Not Alone.

Read Air 1 Article, “Faith Behind The Song, ‘Psalm 23’”

Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone) Charts

 
 
 

the story

 
 

I grew up in the humble farming areas of California surrounded by cornfields and cows. One of the perks of living here was places like Yosemite or the beach were all but a two-hour drive from our front door. I remember one night when I was 18 years old some of my music pals and I decided we’d like to go to the Monterey Jazz Festival and enjoy some really good music.

It was a wonderful night, not only did we hear some of the best musicians in the world play their hearts out but Starbucks was also giving out free samples of their new (at the time) Pumpkin Spice Latte! Some of the world's best musicians doing their thing and free pumpkin spice lattes all night long – that was pretty close to heaven on earth! Haha.

There was a problem however with drinking 8 or 9 Pumpkin Spice latte samples. About 45 minutes into our 2-hour drive home “Uhhhh… Hey guys… I need to use the restroom…” The only problem is we had not hit the 101 freeway yet and we were still out in the middle of nowhere surrounded by mountains, cornfields, strawberry patches, and a whole lotta nothing!

Well… my friend driving kindly pulled over so I could step outside into a cornfield and use the restroom. It was pitch black with absolutely no light at all except for the stars… And then the worst thing possible happened. My fellow teenage buddies decided it would be a wonderful idea to drive off and leave me there stranded as a joke. 

What makes this worse is the Mel Gibson film “Signs” had just come out and I had recently watched it. Being left stranded like that in a cornfield after having just watched that movie is a lot for an 18-year-old. Hahaha, I was scared to death, I will never forget it. But you know, something really cool happened at that moment. I spoke the name of Jesus and immediately felt the presence of God with me.

Hallelujah, even though my friends (jokingly) had left me stranded, I was not alone and I knew it. All of the sudden darkness felt like light, fear turned to courage, and a lamb became a lion. God’s promise of being our Good Shepherd is for real and it is available for all who choose to follow Him — and what happens in the reality of His nearness is a miracle!

Even though I had just felt fear a moment before I suddenly felt comfort, nearness to God, and total peace. This is both the mystery and miracle of the Holy Spirit with us. 

I want to close with Psalm 23, and as you read it know that you are reading the Truth of God's word, an enduring promise that never changes:  

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” 

Hallelujah, I am not alone. Amen.

Phil King Bio

Phil King is fervent about leading and writing songs that bring many people to Jesus. Over the course of his life Phil has used his genre fluid sound, soulful voice, love for God, and heart for the Church to invite a diverse people to experience God.

King is the launch artist for newly formed label, Euphonic City, co-founded by two of his long-time mentors and friends, Paul Wright and Jennie Lee Riddle. He has been working on his fifth record which is a timely and rich gathering of songs for his Euphonic City debut. This release of Phil King will begin with 5 singles, culminating with a 14 track album featuring many of his family friends.

In his early 20’s he became the worship leader at Christ for the Nations in Dallas, TX before taking a position as a worship pastor at Gateway Church. Most recently, King moved he and his wife to Amarillo, Texas to join Trinity Fellowship Church where they have started their family and are now raising their young twins.

Phil has written multilingual anthems such as “So Worthy'' that have traveled far and wide. And notably, for the pro-life movement, “Not Forgotten” was performed by Phil and Francesca Battistelli at a Focus on the Family event, “Alive From New York” in Times Square attended by 20,000. King often leads at conferences and worship experiences. He has sung and played on records and live events for artists that include Michael W. Smith, Danny Gokey, Charity Gayle, Lauren Daigle, and others. His songwriting credits include Leeland, Matt Redman, Micah Tyler, Christine D’Clario, Rtia Springer, and more. But most of all, Phil’s favorite thing is to be available to the men and women of God who carry the Gospel to the furthermost regions of the earth. In Phil’s own words, “I love the harvest field!”

Meredith Andrews BIo

Curb | Word Entertainment recording artist Meredith Andrews is passionate about writing and leading songs that keep people’s hearts and minds set on Jesus. Over the course of her career, the Dove Award-winning artist has been using her musical gifts, love for God, and her huge heart for His people - to teach and remind us all about the enormity of our awesome and loving Savior. Andrews was previously part of the Vertical Worship team, and more recently Belonging Co., her home church in Nashville. As a gifted songwriter and recording artist, she has been a part of multiple songs sung by churches across America such as “Open Up The Heavens”, “Lamb of God”, “Not For A Moment”, “Spirit of the Living God,” and “Faith and Wonder.” Andrews often leads worship at major women’s and worship leader conferences across the U.S., and has toured with Matt Maher, Natalie Grant, Big Daddy Weave, Vertical Worship, Phil Wickham, and Michael W. Smith, among others.

psalm 23 (i am not alone) lyrics

Verse 1
The Lord is my Shepherd
He goes before me
Defender behind me
I won't fear
I'm filled with anointing
My cup's overflowing
No weapon can harm me
I won't fear

Chorus
Hallelujah I am not alone
He's my Comfort
Always holds me close

Verse 2
He always guides me
Through mountains and valleys
His joy is refreshing
Restores my soul
Mercy and goodness
Give me assurance
That I'll see His glory
Face to face

Bridge
Your Spirit lives within me
So I will walk in Your peace
Your Spirit lives within me
My victory my victory (4X)

Bridge
My victory my victory
My victory my victory
My victory my victory
My victory my victory

© 2018 Tent Peg Music (BMI) / The Emerging Sound Publishing (BMI) / Touched By A Fire Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved. CCLI Song # 7111981. Euphonic City / CURB / Word Entertainment / People & Songs. Meredith Andrews appears courtesy of Curb / Word Entertainment

Listen to the original recording of
Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone) here and get charts here.