How carefully the shepherds keep
Their 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 go 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 purchas'd with His blood;
Their food is living and divine;
Of heav'nly things they eat:
The blood of Christ supplies them wino,
His flesh affords them meat.
O Lord, who would not wish to be
One of that happy band,
Who know Thy voice, and follow Thee,
Led by Thy gentle hand