MY SHEPHERD | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 23, 1860

MY SHEPHERD.

OH! had I an angel's harp and tongue, And a heart like that for which I pray, The praise which has long through heaven rung Should be sounded forth on earth to-day! The Lord my Shepherd! who can make known The love and pity that he hath shown?

When the ninety-and-nine were in the fold, And I a poor wanderer far away, In a region of sin and fears untold, With every thought and wish astray, The Lord my Shepherd, with tender care, Sought me, and found me, even there!

He set my feet in his chosen road, And then the waters of joy and peace He on my weary soul bestowed, And bade their measure still increase. The Lord my Shepherd! alas! how far Below his mercy my praises are!

For every day that has since gone by, As well as the years that went before, His love has followed my steps; but I Have been a poor sinner, and no more! Ready to rove and disobey, And murmuring when he hedged my way.

The Lord my Shepherd! He is the same. He doth not measure his love by mine; True and unchangeable is his name; His love and pity are all divine. He doth remember when I forget, And, therefore, I think, he'll keep me yet.

I bless him now for that hedge of thorns; Far better than flowers it was for me. In every sorrow that I have borne, I might, if I would, his goodness see. The Lord my Shepherd! He hath done all, My wandering heart to him to call.

He ever leadeth his little flock; He gave his life their life to buy. Their flowing fountain, and shadowing rock, They cannot faint while he is nigh. The Lord my Shepherd! oh! I will be For ever devoted unto thee!

[Hymns of Church Militant.