The Ninety and Nine

The Ninety and Nine

Again, I am going to post a song before the end of this book.  As I mentioned in the writing I posted before this one that the Parable of the Lost Sheep is not in John but in Matthew and Luke, but I would like to stay in the theme of Jesus as our Good Shepherd with this beautiful song. 

You tube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXg0p0imY_A

The Ninety and Nine

Lyrics: Joseph Rottura / Elizabeth C. Clephane / Ira David Sankey

There were ninety and nine that safely lay
In the shelter of the fold;
But one was out on the hills away,
Far off from the gates of gold.
Away on the mountains wild and bare;
Away from the tender Shepherd's care.

"Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine;
Are they not enough for Thee?"
But the Shepherd made answer: "This of Mine
Has wandered away from Me.
And although the road be rough and steep,
I go to the desert to find My sheep."

But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed;
Nor how dark was the night the Lord passed through
Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Out in the desert He heard its cry;
'Twas sick and helpless and ready to
die.

"Lord, whence are those blood-drops all the way,
That mark out the mountain's track?"
"They were shed for one who had gone astray
Ere the Shepherd could bring him back."
"Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn?"
"They're pierced tonight by many a thorn."

And all through the mountains, thunder-riv'n,
And up from the rocky steep,
There arose a glad cry to the gate of heav'n,
"Rejoice! I have found My sheep!"
And the angels echoed around the throne,
"Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!"