O gracious Shepherd, bind us

1 O gracious Shepherd, bind us
With cords of love to Thee,
And evermore remind us
How mercy set us free.
O may the Holy Spirit
Keep this before our eyes,
That we Thy death and merit
Above all else may prize.

2 We are of God's salvation
Assured through Thy love,
Yet oft, on slight occasion,
How faithless do we prove!
Thou hast our sins forgiven--
Then, leaving all behind,
We would press on to heaven,
Bearing the prize in mind.

3 O may we, then, Lord, ever,
While in this vale of tears,
Look up to Thee, and never
Give way to anxious fears.
For Thou wilt not forsake us
Though we are oft to blame;
O let Thy love, then, make us
True to Thy faith and name.

Source: A Few Hymns and Some Spiritual Songs. Selected 1856, for the Little Flock. Revised, 1881 #45A