Dear To The Heart Of The Shepherd

Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,

Dear are the sheep of His fold;

Dear is the love that He gives them,

Dearer than silver or gold.

Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,

Dear are His "other" lost sheep;

Over the mountains He follows,

Over the waters so deep.

Refrain

Out in the desert they wander,

Hungry and helpless and cold;

Off to the rescue He hastens,

Bringing them back to the fold.

Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,

Dear are the lambs of His fold;

Some from the pastures are straying,

Hungry and helpless and cold.

See, the good Shepherd is seeking,

Seeking the lambs that are lost;

Bringing them in with rejoicing,

Saved at such infinite cost.

Refrain

Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,

Dear are the "ninety and nine";

Dear are the sheep that have wandered,

Out in the desert to pine.

Hark! He is earnestly calling,

Tenderly pleading today;

"Will you not seek for My lost ones,

Off from My shelter astray?"

Refrain

Green are the pastures inviting,

Sweet are the waters and "still";

Lord, we will answer Thee gladly,

"Yes, blessèd Master, we will!

Make us Thy true under-shepherds,

Give us a love that is deep;

Send us out into the desert,

Seeking Thy wandering sheep."

Refrain