368. The Shepherd now was smitten

The Shepherd now was smitten;

The wolf was ravening near,

The scattered flock he threatened,

But knew not whose they were.

In zealous fury seeking

To bind and crucify,

A sudden voice withheld him,

A loud and startling cry:

"Saul! Saul! why blindly daring

To persecute Thy Lord?

'Tis Jesus whom thou Latest,

Rebel not at My word.'1

Then forth in prayer he stretcheth

Those hands prepared to slay;

" What wouldst Thou with Thy servant?

My Lord and Saviour, say."

Christ's foe becomes His soldier,

The wolf destroys no more,

A sheep within the sheepfold

He enters by the Door.

O voice of God Almighty,

What wonders hath it wrought!

It rends the lofty cedars,

It bends the haughty thought.

1 Jesu, our Shepherd, cease not

Thy flock from harm to free,

And when Thy sheep are wandering,

O lead them back to Thee.

8 To Father, Son, and Spirit,

All glory, praise, and might,

Who called us out of darkness

To His own glorious light.