How carefully the shepherd’s keep
The 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 goes 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,
And grass is all their food;
The sheep and lambs of Jesus’ fold
Are purchased with His blood.
ML 07/29/1945