Scripture Verse

He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them. Mark 10:16

Introduction

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Philip Doddridge
1702–1751

Words: Phi­lip Dodd­ridge (1702–1751). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Found­ed on Va­ri­ous Texts in the Ho­ly Scrip­tures, by Job Or­ton (Shrop­shire, Eng­land: Jo­shua Ed­dowes & John Cot­ton, 1755), num­ber 198: Christ’s con­des­cend­ing re­gard to lit­tle childr­en.

Music: So­ho Jo­seph Barn­by, 1881 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

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Joseph Barnby
1838–1896

Lyrics

See Israel’s gentle shepherd stand
With all-engaging charms;
Hark how He calls the tender lambs,
And folds them in His arms!

Permit them to approach, He cries,
Nor scorn their humble name;
For ’twas to bless such souls as these
The Lord of angels came.

We bring them, Lord, in thankful hands,
And yield them up to Thee;
Joyful that we ourselves are Thine,
Thine let our offspring be.

Ye little flock, with pleasure hear;
Ye children, seek His face,
And fly with transport to receive
The blessings of His grace.

If orphans they are left behind,
Thy guardian care we trust,
That care shall heal our bleeding hearts,
While weeping o’er their dust.