Classic Poem

The shepherd Christ from heav'n arriv'd,
 My flesh and spirit feeds;
I shall not therefore be depriv'd
 Of all my nature needs.

As slop'd against the glist'ning beam
 The velvet verdure swells,
He keeps, and leads me by the stream
 Where consolation dwells.

My soul he shall from sin restore,
 And her free pow'rs awake,
In paths of heav'nly truth to soar,
 For love and mercy's sake.

Yea, tho' I walk death's gloomy vale,
 The dread I shall disdain;
For thou art with me, lest I fail,
 To check me and sustain.

Thou shalt my plenteous board appoint
 Before the braving foe;
Thine oil and wine my head anoint,
 And make my goblet flow.

But greater still thy love and grace
 Shall all my life attend;
And in thine hallow'd dwelling place
 My knees shall ever bend.

Or this.

Christ Jesus has my name enroll'd,
And to his own peculiar fold
 Above all want consign'd;
Thou hast to ghostly welfare brought
The sheep, thy precious blood has bought,
 O shepherd of mankind.

Me plac'd beneath the blue serene,
In pastures ever fresh and green,
 Where all is peace and still,
He feeds—and sets me on the brink
Of living waters, there to drink
 Of comfort and my fill.

He shall convert my carnal heart,
And every Christian grace impart,
 To fix me in his way;
For by his hallow'd name he swore,
And for the sake of that no more
 Shall David ever stray.

Yea tho' from hence my journey lies
Down thro' the vale of tears and sighs,
 And up the steep of pain,
No terror shall my course withstand;
Thy rod and staff are still at hand
 To check me and sustain.

Thou shalt add plenty to thy grace,
And heap my board before their face,
 My troublers to confound;
The head that thou hast lifted up,
Thou hast anointed, and the cup
 Of my salvation crown'd.

The goodness and the grace divine,
Shall constant all along the line
 Of utmost life extend;
And I shall in thy temple dwell,
In thankful psalmody to tell
 Of transport without end.