Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#591

591. Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

1 Savior, like a shepherd lead us;
much we need your tender care.
In your pleasant pastures feed us,
for our use your folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
you have bought us: yours we are.

2 We are yours; in love befriend us,
be the guardian of our way;
keep your flock, from sin defend us,
seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
hear your children when we pray.

3 You have promised to receive us,
poor and sinful though we be;
you have mercy to relieve us,
grace to cleanse, and power to free.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
early let us turn to you.

4 Early let us seek your favor,
early let us do your will;
blessed Lord and only Savior,
with your love our spirits fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
you have loved us; love us still.

Text Information

• First Line: Savior, like a shepherd lead us
• Title: Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
• Meter: 87 87 87
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Psalm 23
  ;
  John 10:14
  ;
  John 10:16
  ;
  Luke 10:37
• Topic: Family; Shepherd, God/Christ as; Home; Songs for Children: Hymns
• Source: D. Thrupp's Hymns for the Young, 1836, alt.

Tune Information

• Name: RHUDDLAN
• Meter: 87 87 87
• Key: G Major
• Source: Welsh

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 1-2 = Ps. 23, John 10:18

Although sometimes ascribed to either Henry F. Lyte (PHH 442) or Dorothy A. Thrupp, in whose Hymns for the Young (fourth ed., 1836) it appeared, this text is the work of an unknown author. The original four stanzas appear in the Psalter Hymnal with the modern pronouns ("you" rather than "thou").

The text is a prayer for divine guidance and obedience to God's will. Psalm 23 and the parable of the good shepherd (John 10:18) were the inspiration for stanzas 1 and 2; the remaining stanzas contain other biblical phrases.

Liturgical Use:
With and for children (perhaps using PICARDY, 341, or the more traditional BRADBURY tune found in earlier editions of the Psalter Hymnal); family life services; baptism; beginning of church school seasons or Vacation Bible School; other times when the theme is God's guidance or providence.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

RHUDDLAN is a traditional Welsh tune used by harp-playing folk musicians. Named after the historic village in northern Wales, the tune was published in the musical edition of Edward Jones' Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards (1800). The harmonization is from the 1906 English Hymnal.

Sing this bar form (AAB) tune in unison or in parts with sensitivity to the energy of the melodic and rhythmic patterns.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook