Souls Perishing for Lack of Knowledge

Verse 1

Shepherd of souls, with pitying eye The thousands of our Israel see: To Thee, in their behalf we cry, Ourselves but newly found in Thee.

Verse 2

See, where o’er desert wastes they err, And neither food nor feeder have, Nor fold, nor place of refuge near; For no man cares their souls to save.

Verse 3

Thy people, Lord, are sold for naught, Nor know they their Redeemer nigh; They perish, whom Thyself hast bought; Their souls for lack of knowledge die.

Verse 4

The pit its mouth hath opened wide, To swallow up its careless prey; Why should they die, when Thou hast died, Hast died to bear their sins away?

Verse 5

Why should the foe Thy purchase seize? Remember, Lord, Thy dying groans: The meed of all Thy sufferings these; O claim them for Thy ransomed ones!

Verse 6

Extend to these Thy pardoning grace; To these be Thy salvation showed: O add them to Thy chosen race! O sprinkle all their hearts with blood!

Verse 7

Still let the publicans draw near: Open the door of faith and Heaven; And grant their hearts Thy word to hear, And witness all their sins forgiven.