Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd, Ever

Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

Meter: 87 87 77
Text: © 2023
Tune: Komm, O komm, Du Geist
Music: Melody: J. Christoph Bach, 1680; Setting: Aaron T. Fenker
Melody, Public Doman; Setting: CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED.

Inspiration: I wrote this hymn as the school hymn for Good Shepherd Lutheran School in Marysville, KS. It highlights Christ as the Good Shepherd who tends His sheep and lambs with His Word. Since Good Shepherd is supported by an association of congregations, stanzas 2–5 are are dedicated to each institution in the association (Bethlehem, Mt. Calvary, Immanuel, and Good Shepherd itself). Each of those stanzas takes its inspiration from the name of institution. The hymn can be sung in its entirety, or it can be sung with only some of stanzas 2–5 included depending on where or when it’s sung.

• Handout with Melody

• Full Setting

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Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd, ever
Kind to those You call Your own,
David’s Son and Lord forever,
Sovereign King on heaven’s throne,
Keep for us the Word You said,
“I’m with you till age’s end.”

Bethlehem
2 Christ, O Shepherd, Son Eternal,
You were born as Lamb for sheep.
Thus in Bethl’hem’s paltry stable
You Your ancient promise keep.
In the manger You reveal
You’re our peace, God’s great goodwill!

Mt. Calvary
3 You, God’s sinless Lamb, did offer
Your own life on Calvary,
Mount of endless praise and wonder,
For God died us men to free
From our sin and death and hell
And our ancient foe as well!

Immanuel
4 Christ, You rose, our grave defeated—
Death no more o’er You to reign!
As You’re with Your Father seated,
Be Immanuel, as You say,
“You’re in Me and I’m with you,
Through My Word and Gifts for you.”

Good Shepherd Lutheran School
5 O Good Shepherd, how You feed us,
Here with pastures lush and green!
Oh, how greatly You refresh us
Here with waters pure and clean!
With Your Word imbibed and fed,
We hold dear all that You’ve said.

6 Risen King, e’en now You shower
Countless blessings on our school
Since You hold almighty power,
Through Your Word, extend the rule
Of Your mercy, love, and grace
Here, abroad, in ev’ry place!

7 As through Font and round Your Table
You guide us to tend and keep,
Thus, “Good Shepherd” make Your stable,
Where You flock Your littlest sheep,
For Your very Voice is heard
As we teach and learn Your Word.

△ 8 Highest honors are forever
Yours, Our Teacher, Shepherd, Lord,
With the Spirit and Your Father—
God of all, by us adored!
Keep us in Your Word until
We rise to Your heav’nly school.