The Hymnal and Order of Service ‎#287

287. Heavenly Shepherd, Thee We Pray

1 Heav'nly Shepherd, Thee we pray
For Thy servant here to-day:
By the charge he taketh now,
By his ordination vow,
By the prayers which we have prayed
For the Holy Spirit's aid,
Grant him faithful watch to keep,
Tend Thy lambs, and feed Thy sheep.

2 From the silent pow'r of sin
Lurking secretly within,
May the grace that flows from Thee,
Heav'nly Shepherd, set him free;
Thou, the Way, the Truth, the Life,
Gird him for the sacred strife,
Aye his faithful watch to keep,
Tend Thy lambs, and feed Thy sheep.

3 Speed him on his life-long way,
Speed him whom we speed to-day,
Till he win the promised crown,
When he lays his burden down
Humbly at his Saviour's feet,
Low before the mercy-seat:
Give him, Lord, Thy grace to keep,
Tend Thy lambs, and feed Thy sheep.

4 To the blessèd Trinity
Now let praise and glory be,
In whose Name we meet to-day
For our guidance, as we pray
That we may, in all we do,
Pastor, and his flock, be true,
Till we, sheep and shepherd, meet,
Ransomed at Thy judgment seat.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Heav'nly Shepherd, Thee we pray
• Title: Heavenly Shepherd, Thee We Pray
• Author: Charles Goddard Woodhouse, (1835-1876)
• Meter: 7 7, 7 7. D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1937
• Topic: The Church: The Ministry-Installation; Church: Installation
• Notes: See also hymns under "Christian Service."

Tune Information

• Name: O LIEBE MEINER LIEBE
• Meter: 7 7, 7 7. D.
• Key: G Major
• Source: Manuscript Herrnhut Choralbuch, 1735.