Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd,
Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, no. 221
1. 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.
[Chorus]
Out in the desert they wander,
Hungry and helpless and cold;
Off to the rescue he hastens, (4th verse) we’ll hasten,
Bringing them back to the fold.
2. 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.
3. 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?”
4. Green are the pastures inviting;
Sweet are the waters and still.
Lord, we will answer thee gladly,
“Yes, blessed 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.”
Selecting a piece of music sometimes comes very simply, other times it is a struggle feel the right one right away. This was one of those easy times. As soon as I started selecting my song for this week, I had some ideas from Sunday, but this song came to my mind instantly and I knew this is what I needed to share.
The words to this song are so wonderful and inspired.
Many of us have struggled with family, friends or even our personal experiences. When we have felt hungry and helpless and cold. To know that the Dear Shepard is there is the one thing that can bring hope.
Someone searching for the Savior's love CAN feel it.
Someone wandering CAN be found.
We are all in charge of this fold in our callings, in our homes and in many other mantles that we bear. Are we running to rescue, are we praying, lifting, comforting and loving?
Are we in need of rescue? HE Is there, there are others that are there to rescue you (helping the Shepard). HE will help us lift up others, and HE WILL LIFT US! This song has really filled my soul today. I Pray it has for you!
Good Shepard
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine (John 10:14; see also Alma 5:38).
Why is Jesus known by the name of “Good Shepherd” instead of simply “Shepherd”?
When the Savior lived on earth, sheepherding was a common occupation. There were three kinds of people who became shepherds. One kind of person became a shepherd because his father was one; his father taught him as he grew up.
A second kind of person became a shepherd because he loved sheep andwanted to learn how to be a shepherd. While he worked and learned, he received food and a place to sleep and was sometimes paid with a gift of a sheep or two.
The third kind of person became a shepherd solely for the money. This kind of shepherd was known as a hireling shepherd. When his day’s work was done, he went home. If during his working hours there was danger, he fled in fear of his own safety, leaving the sheep alone and without a leader.
The first two kinds of shepherds were called good shepherds because they never left their sheep alone, even when their own lives were at risk. They guided the sheep along rocky paths and walked in front of the sheep to make certain the paths were safe. They led the sheep to green pastures, where they could feed. Jesus was that kind of shepherd—a GoodShepherd—to all mankind. He gave his life for us, and if we follow him, he will lead us to eternal life.
And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture (1 Ne. 22:25
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