How carefully the shepherds keep
Their flocks within their sight!
So Jesus watches o’er His sheep,
And guards them day and night.
The shepherd numbers twice a day
The flock beneath his care;
He knows if any go astray,
Or sick or dying are.
So Jesus reckons one by one,
And numbers all His sheep;
He knows if but a lamb is gone,
For He doth never sleep.
The flocks of men are bought with gold;
Green pasture is their food;
The sheep and lambs of Jesus’ fold
Are purchased with His blood.
O Lord, who would not wish to be
One of that happy band,
Who know Thy voice, and follow Thee,
Led by Thy gentle hand?
ML 02/27/1946