Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep

“Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep” is largely a reflection on the Gospel of John, chapter 10, in which Jesus declares:

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep” (v. 14-15) and “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (v. 27-28).

Other allusions to scripture include “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105) and “After this I looked, and there was a great multitude … standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands … [crying] out in a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb'” (Revelation 7:9-10).

“Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep” was written by Irish Presbyterian minister Henry Cooke (1788-1868), who published his own Translations and Paraphrases in Verse … for the use of the Presbyterian Church, Killileagh (1821) as an alternative to the exclusive singing of Psalms in worship.

This moderately easy anthem is ideal to commemorate Good Shepherd Sunday and is appropriate as a general anthem at other times in the church year.

SAB/organ score (4 pages, 8.5×11″)