In the Valley (Psalm 23) [Lyricist Showcase]: Christian Worship Ballad

Praise & Worship

Jun 27

Some dark valleys feel endless.

“In the Valley (Psalm 23)” was born in one of those shadowed places. But through every dark night I’ve walked through, Jesus—my shepherd—was there. And He still is.

This worship song is for anyone who feels forgotten, weary, or afraid. It’s a reminder that you are never alone… and that a table is being prepared for you on the other side of the pain.

🎧 May this song meet you in your own valley—and remind you that even here, He is your light.

This emotional powerful ballad version is a lyricist’s showcase demo, intended to highlight the lyric and concept for artists, co-writers, and producers. Any commercial release would require a new human-written topline and a new master recording.
The lyrics for this song are available for collaboration and licensing for:
- Artists and worship leaders seeking a strong lyric to set to their own melody
- Co-writing opportunities (new topline over existing lyric and structure)
I wrote the original draft for this song in 2012, inspired by Psalm 23, which is one of my favourites. Even though by that point, I’d been through a lot of difficult times, the darkest valleys of my life were still ahead of me.
In 2025, I heavily revised the lyrics and had AI create a new melody before producing the track to make it more resonant, and this personal, powerful worship song is the result. I’ve been through many dark valleys, and Jesus, my shepherd, has always led (or carried) me out of them.
I hope this song blesses you and reminds you that you, too, are not alone in life’s darkest moments—and that a joyful feast awaits.
In the valley of the shadow,
Every hope hidden by fears
You took my hand and banished the darkness
Your loving presence dried my tears
Surely, goodness and mercy will follow me
Every day for the rest of my life
You’re the shepherd of the valley
You’ve never left my side
You’ve walked with me each step of this dark night.
Though the shadows threaten me
Your watchful eyes will always see
In the valley, you’re my light.
Though I walk through deepest chasms
Up ahead are fields of green
Your Word illuminates each pathway
To living water, clear and clean.
Surely, goodness and mercy will follow me
Every day for the rest of my life
You’re the shepherd of the valley
You’ve never left my side
You’ve walked with me each step of this dark night.
When the shadows threaten me
Your watchful eyes will always see
In the valley, you’re my light.
Draw me close, draw me near
Let me know you are here
Let your rod be my comfort and my guide
There’s no sorrow or despair
At the feast You prepare
At your table, every care is cast aside.
You’re the shepherd of the valley
God, You’ve never left my side
You’ve walked with me each step of this dark night.
When shadows try to make me flee
You’re still watching over me
In the valley, you’re my light.
You’ve never left my side
You’ve walked with me each step of this dark night.
No matter how lost I may be
You’ll always come and rescue me
In the valley, you’re my light.
In the valley, you’re my light.
Track Title: In the Valley (Psalm 23)
Album: In the Valley (Psalm 23) – single
Release date: July 9, 2025
Track type: Lyricist showcase demo
Credits:
Lyrics by Talena Winters. ©2012, 2025 My Secret Wish Publishing. All rights reserved.
Sound recording ©2025 My Secret Wish Publishing.
Sound recording produced by Talena Winters. Includes audio (including some melodic elements) created with generative AI licensed for commercial use.
Video copyright 2025. Includes footage created with generative AI licensed for commercial use.
Licensing:
Available for collaboration and recording of the lyrics with a new, human-written topline/melody.
This demo recording and its AI-generated melody/arrangement are not available as a master, backing track, or licensable composition and may not be reused, licensed, or released as-is.
Disclaimer:
This recording is a lyricist showcase demo, created with AI-assisted tools from my original lyrics, using an AI-generated topline and arrangement, and production that retains some AI-assisted instrumental and vocal elements.
Its purpose is to highlight the lyric and concept, not to function as a finished, licensable master or backing track. Any artist or producer wishing to record this song should plan to create a new, human-written topline/melody and a fully new master recording.