The Lutheran Hymnary ‎#403

403. Wilt Thou not, my Shepherd true

1 Wilt Thou not, my Shepherd true,
Spare Thy sheep, in mercy spare me?
Wilt Thou not, as shepherds do,
In Thine arms rejoicing bear me;
Bear me where all troubles cease,
Home to folds of joy and peace?

2 With thy flock I long to be,
With the flock to whom 'tis given
Safe to feed, and, praising Thee,
Roam the happy plains of heaven:
Free from fear of sinful stain,
They can never stray again.

3 Lord! I here am sore beset,
Fears at every step confound me;
Lo! my foes have spread their net,
And with craft and might surround me;
Such their snares on every side,
Safe Thy sheep can ne'er abide.

4 See, on earth's wide desert way
How my truant steps mislead me;
Bring me back, no more to stray,
In Thine own green pastures feed me.
Gather me within the fold,
Where Thy lambs Thy light behold.

Text Information

• First Line: Wilt Thou not, my Shepherd true
• Author: J. Scheffler (1657)
• Meter: 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7.
• Publication Date: 1913
• Topic: The Church Year: Third Sunday after Trinity; Jesus Christ: Our Shepherd

Tune Information

• Name: [Wilt thou not, my Shepherd true]
• Meter: 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7.
• Key: C Major
• Source: German, 1656