Shadowed Valley

Based on Psalm 23, for getting through a hard time.

What is the path before my feet?
Where does it lead at last?
My shepherd walks it, sure and fleet,
and I must follow fast.

A shadowed valley it runs through,
but fearless I will go,
for Christ, I merely follow you,
and bright your footsteps show.

However dark the vale may be,
still you will give me rest
and with your presence comfort me,
however stern the test.

Your table spread to nurture well
my strength against the foe,
you fill my soul, my heart indwell,
and oh! I overflow.

You walk beside me in the night,
your kindness in our wake.
Our road will end in endless light
when dawn, at last, shall break.

According to Wikipedia, this image of a black man reading was painted shortly after the Emancipation Proclamation. The man’s blue clothes may indicate that he was a Union soldier, and the fact that he’s reading may symbolize how important literacy was in the lives of freedmen. I had to look it up, because I’d never seen this image before and was struck by it.