Scripture Verse

Take, eat; this is My body. Matthew 26:26

Introduction

portrait
Isaac Watts
1674–1748

Words: Is­aac Watts, Hymns and Spi­ri­tu­al Songs, Book 1, 1707, num­ber 67. Seek­ing the pas­tures of Christ the Shep­herd.

Music: Arm­ley, in A Com­pi­la­tion of Gen­u­i­ne Church Mu­sic, by Jo­seph Funk (Win­ches­ter, Vir­gin­ia: J. W. Holl­is, 1832) (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Funk (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), would you ?

Lyrics

Thou whom my soul admires above
All earthly joy and earthly love,
Tell me, dear Shepherd, let me know,
Where do Thy sweetest pastures grow?

Where is the shadow of that rock
That from the sun defends Thy flock?
Fain would I feed among Thy sheep
Among them rest, among them sleep.

Why should Thy bride appear like one
That turns aside to paths unknown?
My constant feet would never rove,
Would never seek another love.

The footsteps of Thy flock I see;
Thy sweetest pastures here they be;
A wondrous feast thy love prepares,
Bought with Thy wounds, and groans, and tears.

His dearest flesh He makes my food,
And bids me drink His richest blood:
Here to these hills my soul will come,
Till my belovèd lead me home.