Kirkin' of the Tartans: Psalm 23

This translation of the 23rd Psalm comes from the Order for the Lord's Supper in the Book of Common Order introduced to Scotland from Geneva in 1560. The liturgy was prescribed by the General Assemblies of 1562 and 1564. It came to be known as Knox's Liturgy, named for John Knox, the minister most responsible for introducing Presbyterianism to Scotland.

The Lord's my herd, I'll want for nocht,

He gars me tae lie doon

In girsie howes, an syne I'm brocht

Faar wimplin burnies croon.

An fan for ither joys I craik,

An wanner faur frae God,

He airts me, for H/is ain Name's sake,

Intil his ain richt raod.

Ay, an I gang throwe yon dark glen

Faar waesome shadows faa

He'll keep near-haun me, and I ken

I'll hae nae fear ava.

Tho mony faes aroon me staun

His kindness nivver fails;

He spreads my table, an his haun

Fills my cup till it skails.

Een sae, gweed guidin an gweed-gree

Gang wi me ilka day;

And in God's Hoose faur up on hie

I fain wad bide for aye.