Shepherd of Israel, thou didst lead

Verse 1

Shepherd of Israel, thou didst lead Thy chosen flock the desert through, And from between the cherubim Thy mercy and thy favour show.

Verse 2

And though their sins provoked thee oft, To give them to their foes a prey, Yet didst thou, for thy mercy sake As often turn thy wrath away.

Verse 3

But, ah! they fill'd the measure up Of all their aggravated guilt, When on the hill of Calvary The blood of thine own Son they spilt.

Verse 4

And now for ages they have been Cast out and banish'd from thy sight, Wandering through all the earth, as those In whom thou hast no more delight.

Verse 5

Yet is thy word of promise sure, That they shall be again restor'd, And with the gentile church unite To worship and to serve the Lord.

Verse 6

Our faith in expectation waits, To see that glorious morning rise, O bid the shadows flee away, And satisfy our longing eyes.