O tell me, Thou life and delight of my soul

Verse 1

O, tell me, thou life and delight of my soul, Where the flock of thy pasture are feeding: I seek thy protection, I need thy control; I would go where my Shepherd is leading.

Verse 2

O, tell me the place where the flock are at rest, Where the noontide will find them reposing; The tempest now rages, my soul is distressed, And the pathway of peace I am losing.

Verse 3

And why should I stray with the flocks of thy foes, In the desert where now they are roving; Where hunger and thirst, where contentions and woes, Where fierce conflicts their ruin are proving?

Verse 4

Ah, when shall my woes and my wandering cease, And the follies that fill me with weeping? A Shepherd of Israel, restore me that peace Thou dost give to the flock thou art keeping!

Verse 5

A voice from the Shepherd now bids me return By the way where the footprints are lying; No longer to wander, no longer to mourn; And homeward my spirit is flying.