73*. I Was a Wandering Sheep

S.M.D.
by H. Bonar
1
I was a wandering sheep,
 
I did not love the fold;
 
I did not love my Shepherd’s voice.
 
I would not be controlled:
 
I was a wayward child,
 
I did not love my home,
 
I did not love my Father’s voice,
 
I loved afar to roam.
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)
2
The Shepherd sought His sheep,
 
The Father sought His child:
 
He followed me o’er vale and hill,
 
O’er desert waste and wild:
 
He found me nigh to death,
 
Famished and faint and lone;
 
He bound me with the chains of love,
 
He saved the wandering one.
“And he spake this parable unto them, saying. What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” (Luke 15:3-7)
3
Jesus my Shepherd is:
 
’Twas He that loved my soul,
 
’Twas He that washed me in His blood,
 
’Twas He that made me whole:
 
’Twas He that sought the lost,
 
That found the wandering sheep;
 
’Twas He that brought me to the fold:
 
’Tis He that still doth keep.
“<<A Psalm of David.>> The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)
4
No more a wandering sheep,
 
I love to be controlled;
 
I love my tender Shepherd’s voice,
 
I love the peaceful fold:
 
No more a wayward child,
 
I seek no more to roam;
 
I love my heavenly Father’s voice:
 
I love, I love His home.
“To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” (John 10:3-4)
Note: Roll over or tap on a stanza number to view some verses suggested by that stanza.
Little Flock Hymnbook Index