1 On Judah’s hills a lowly band
Their flocks in safety kept:
Their folds they penned with careful hand,
And watched while others slept.

2 No helpless sheep was seen to stray,
No ravening wolf was nigh;
Their fleecy charge securely lay
Beneath the spangled sky.

3 And were not these a faithful few
Of Abraham’s stock indeed,
Who longed, with faithful hearts and true,
For David’s promised seed?

4 Their thoughts, perchance, were fixed on One
Whom prophets had foretold;
Him, who should bring each wandering son
Within the Shepherd’s fold;

5 The Lord, who loves His flock to feed,
To guard from strange alarms,
In tender grass His lambs to lead,
Or bear them in His arms:

6 Who calls His sheep, that know His voice,
To seek with one accord
The living waters that rejoice
The city of the Lord.

7 O happy shepherds! blest were they,
When from the Father’s throne
Angelic hosts in bright array
Brought news of mercy down.

8 Thus first to men of humble birth
Were told the wondrous things,
Which bowed the idols of the earth,
And checked the pride of kings.

9 In daily duty’s constant round,
And works of trust and care,
Thus, like the shepherds, faithful found,
May we their blessing share.