Hymnal Page Scan: The Kind Shepherd Hymnary.org

Keyboard Recording:

This is a children’s hymn we can use to meditate on how Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Remember, we are learning to listen to His voice and follow His guidance. The 1st verse tells us to look and see Jesus standing there looking at the lambs with all-engaging charms. Jesus is “altogether lovely” (Song of Solomon 5:16). The Berean Study Bible’s note on this verse says, “The term ‘altogether lovely’ suggests that every aspect of his being is admirable and desirable.” These words of the Bride represent the believer’s admiration of Christ, “who is seen as the ultimate expression of love and beauty.” In the hymn “The Lily of the Valley” it says Jesus is “the fairest of 10,000 to my soul.”

So, take time to envision Jesus standing there with His all-engaging charms, looking at the lambs. Contemplate how wonderful He is and rejoice that we have a gentle, kind shepherd who is altogether lovely. He calls the lambs to Him tenderly. And when they run to Him, He picks them up in His arms. He leads them to the heavenly streams where living waters flow and to the fruitful fields where trees of knowledge grow. While He carries His lambs in His arms, they are safe from every snare. As you are going through your day, envision yourself as one of Jesus’s lambs. Feel Him carrying you and guiding you through your day. Practice listening for His voice and wait for Him to speak tenderly to you. Here are the words to the hymn:

1 See the kind Shepherd, Jesus, stands,
With all-engaging charms;
Hark, how he calls his tender lambs,
And folds them in his arms.

Permit them to approach, he cried,
Nor scorn their humble name;
For ’twas to bless such souls as these,
The Lord of angels came.

2 He’ll lead us to the heavenly streams
Where living waters flow.
And guide us to the fruitful fields
Where trees of knowledge grow.

The feeblest lamb amid the flock
Shall be its Shepherd’s care;
While folded in the Saviour’s arms,
We’re safe from every snare.

Links: Song of Solomon 5:16 Commentaries Biblehub.com