Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me by Elspeth Young

“Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me”


Al Young Studios cannot make or sell any prints of this work at this time. Read more...

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 23:6

The story behind Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me

Ruth (seated right) and Orpah (seated left) bid farewell to each other in an inner court typical of traditional Middle Eastern housing, where an inner court was often a place for widows to work and cook together communally.  Ruth will stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, lending her youth and strength to Naomi's care and trusting herself to Naomi's God and His covenants.  Having chosen a covenant life, Ruth looks out toward the future, embracing the gifts with which God surrounds her.  Orpah, though sorry to be parted from Ruth, is resolved to go her way, returning to her native people and their gods.  She is adorned by the wealth of the world, and her gaze engages the viewer as if to ask which path the viewer will choose.

Symbolism in Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me

Modern Jordan (the location of ancient Moab) contains many samples of ancient material culture.  Some of these samples served as inspiration for the stonework, pottery, color-scheme and patterns in the painting.  Since fabric samples from the period of the Judges do not exist, color schemes and patterns associated with ancient Jordanian and Mideastern cultures were selected.  The rug, while not Jordanian, is typical of those used in inner courts, and is included as a vehicle for incorporating the symbols of the Star of David and the scepter of Moab.  (See Numbers 24:17.)
© By Intellectual Reserve, Inc. You may not print, copy, or reproduce this artwork or make derivative works from it without the prior written consent of the copyright holder. Al Young Studios cannot make or sell any prints of this artwork at this time. Read more...

See more art from the Women of the Bible Art Collection

See more art from the Temple Art Collection

From the Newsroom


Custom framing services for original artworks and giclees (overview)

By Al R. Young
only high-end custom frames
We have framed our own artworks for more than 30 years, and during that time we have provided a variety of framing services to patrons upon request.  For many reasons—including constant changes in the availability of moulding styles—we cannot offer off-the-shelf framing options or response times typically associated with such a service.  Of necessity, all of our framing projects are aproached, priced, and billed as constuling projects... Read more »

Tags: Into The West, Spring Rain, North Country, The Grey Havens, Journey's End, Looking Back, Enchanted Stillness, Bedtime Story, In The High Valley, The Daydream, Before The Ball, Old Shannon, Pavane, Sweet Brier, Legend, Mountain Home, And I...


Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me (Ruth)

By Elspeth C. Young

content for this page is being prepared and will be added as soon as possible
2021 November 05... Read more »

Tags: Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me, 2021, Oil paintings and prints, Temple artworks


Elspeth C. Young completes new oil painting - "Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me"

By Al R. Young Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me is the newest oil painting to be added to the line of original artworks from Al Young Studios.

Click here to see a larger image of the new painting, read the artist's commentary, and look at the selection of prints--if any are available.... Read more »

Tags: Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me, 2018, Elspeth C. Young, Legacy, News, Oil paintings and prints, Women of the Bible Art Collection