1
There were ninety and nine that safely lay
In the shelter of the flock,
But one was out on the hills away,
Far off in the cold and dark;
Away on the mountains wild and bare,
Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.
In the shelter of the flock,
But one was out on the hills away,
Far off in the cold and dark;
Away on the mountains wild and bare,
Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.
2
“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.”
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.”
3
But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed;
Nor how dark was the night which the Lord passed through
Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Out in the bleak desert He heard its cry—
All bleeding and helpless, and ready to die.
How deep were the waters crossed;
Nor how dark was the night which the Lord passed through
Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Out in the bleak desert He heard its cry—
All bleeding and helpless, and ready to die.
4
“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.”
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.”
5
And all through the mountains, thunder-riven,
And up from the rocky steep,
There arose a cry to the gate of heaven,
“Rejoice! I have found My sheep!”
And the angels echoed around the throne,
“Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!”
And up from the rocky steep,
There arose a cry to the gate of heaven,
“Rejoice! I have found My sheep!”
And the angels echoed around the throne,
“Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!”
Delete Comment
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
SI, New York, United States
Wow! God is always good. CHRIST died for everyone and ANYONE. GOD IS LOVE.
Altrincham, Cheshire, United Kingdom
Only loosely based on Luke 15. Read it and find where the shepherd left the 99!
Clarence Creek, ON, Canada
I am sure the author had Luke 15 in mind when he penned this song, it brings me to tears whenever I think about it.
Vernon, United States
This is such a powerful and yet tender hymn. I'm sad it isn't in our hymnals. The story behind the hymn, and the music to which the words were set are so interesting.
Austin, TX, United States
Thank you for this wonderful hymn. It further demonstrates just how diligent our Lord is in making sure all of his sheep are accounted for.
Bromley, Kent, United Kingdom
Beautiful and touching song.
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Am a lover of hymn and I love this one.... please can somebody redirect me to where I can download hymns?
Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria
I love and very much cherish this hymn. Not only is it inspiring and full of insight. It shows us the compassion of our Lord Jesus and the price Christians are to pay in carrying out meaningful soul winning after the pattern set by our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Aizawl, Mizoram, India
He not only found the lost sheep, never abandon me, showering all the good things everyday. He is really the TRUE Shepherd.
These words aren't correct—it should read There were ninety and nine that safely lay In the shelter of the fold but one was up on the hills away far off from the gates of gold—other bits only slightly. I learned this by heart in 1968.