He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.
Isaiah 40:11
Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems 1749.
Music: Maidstone Walter B. Gilbert, 1865 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good photo of Gilbert (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Dr. Benjamin Gregory says, “I was brought up in the firmest faith that if I died trusting in Christ, and striving to love and serve Him, I should most surely go to heaven. This faith was much confirmed by the account often given me of the last hours of my little sister Rachel, who died before I was born.
“When told that she was dying she betrayed no tremor; but looking up to heaven, she said, in her own infant speech—
O that I at last may stand
With the sheep at Thy right hand.”Telford, p. 251
Happy soul, that, free from harms,
Rests within his Shepherd’s arms!
Who his quiet shall molest?
Who shall violate his rest?
Jesus doth his spirit bear;
Jesus takes his every care;
He who found the wandering sheep,
Jesus, still delights to keep.
O that I might so believe,
Steadfastly to Jesus cleave;
On His only love rely,
Smile at the destroyer nigh;
Free from sin and servile fear,
Have my Jesus ever near;
All His care rejoice to prove,
All His paradise of love!
Jesus, seek Thy wandering sheep;
Bring me back, and lead, and keep;
Take on Thee my every care;
Bear me, on Thy bosom bear;
Let me know my Shepherd’s voice;
More and more in Thee rejoice;
More and more of Thee receive;
Ever in Thy Spirit live.
Live, till all Thy life I know,
Perfect, through my Lord, below;
Gladly then from earth remove,
Gathered to the fold above;
O that I at last may stand,
With the sheep at Thy right hand;
Take the crown so freely giv’n,
Enter in by Thee to Heav’n!