Moravian Book of Worship ‎#593

593. How Great the Bliss to Be a Sheep of Jesus

1 How great the bliss to be a sheep of Jesus,
and to be guided by his shepherd-staff!
Earth’s greatest honors, howsoe’er they please us,
compared to this are vain and empty chaff.
Yea, what this world can never give,
may, through the Shepherd’s grace, each needy sheep receive.

2 Here is a pasture, rich and never failing,
here living waters in abundance flow;
none can conceive the grace with them prevailing,
who Jesus’ shepherd-voice obey and know.
He banishes all fear and strife,
and leads them gently on to everlasting life.

3 Whoe’er would spend his days in lasting pleasure
must come to Christ and join his flock with speed;
here is a feast prepared, rich beyond measure,
the world meanwhile on empty husks must feed.
Those souls may share in ev'ry good
whose Shepherd does possess the treasuries of God.

Text Information

• First Line: How great the bliss to be a sheep of Jesus
• Title: How Great the Bliss to Be a Sheep of Jesus
• Author: Johann Jakob Rambach (1727)
• Translator: Christian Ignatius Latrobe (1789)
• Meter: 11.10.11.10.8.12.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1995
• Scripture:
  Psalm 23
  ;
  Isaiah 40:11
  ;
  John 10:11-16
• Topic: Gifts of the Spirit; Christian nurture; Joy; Life in Christ

Tune Information

• Name: AGNUS CHRISTI
• Composer: Johann Gottlieb Wagner (c. 1742, alt.)
• Meter: 11.10.11.10.8.12.
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: C. Gregor Choralbuch (1784)
• Notes: 115 B in 1891 Offices of Worship and Hymns