Scripture Verse

I will give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto Thy name. 2 Samuel 22:50

Introduction

illustration
Christ the Shepherd
St. John the Baptist Anglican Church
Ashfield, New South Wales

Words: Ma­ry B. Pe­ters, in the Ply­mouth Breth­ren’s Psalms, Hymns and Spi­ri­tu­al Songs (Lon­don: D. Wal­ther, 1842). Also ap­peared in Psalms and Hymns, ed­it­ed by James Kel­ly (Bath/London: Binns & Good­win/Nis­bet & Com­pa­ny, 1849), num­ber 30.

Music: Mainz­er Jo­seph Mainz­er, 1841 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Joseph Mainzer (1801–1851)

Lyrics

With thankful hearts, we meet, O Lord,
To sing Thy praise, to hear Thy Word,
To seek Thy face in earnest prayer,
And cast on Thee each earthly care.

Great Shepherd of Thy chosen flock,
Thy people’s shield, their sheltering rock,
Again we meet to hear Thy voice,
Again before Thee we rejoice.

O may the Spi­rit, by the Word,
Refresh our hearts in Thee, O Lord,
All wearied of the things below,
No rest but Thine we fain would know.

Thy presence in our midst we seek;
Confirm the strong, sustain the weak;
Weary and faint to Thee we come,
To crave some foretaste of our home.

We long with all the blood washed throng,
To join the universal song;
When Heav’n and earth with prostrate knee,
Shall both bow down and worship Thee.