469. Easter 4 (Series C)

The lessons for this "Good Shepherd" Sunday are Acts 20:17-35, Revelation 7:9-17 and John 10:22-30. The tune is SEI LOB UND EHR DEM HÖCHSTEN GUT, a metrically reduced version of RENDEZ À DIEU which the SELK hymnal credits to both Guillaume Franc (1543) and Johann Crüger (1653) and pairs with both the text after which it is named and "Wach auf, mein Herz, die Nacht ist hin."

Salvation is of God alone,
The countless saints are singing,
And of the Lamb upon the throne,
All angels round Him winging:
Truth, blessing, glory, wisdom, thanks,
Might, honor, pow'r, their white-robed ranks
To Christ forever bringing.

These are the ones who have withstood
The present tribulations.
Their robes washed in the Lamb's pure blood,
They daily make oblations.
The Lamb who sits upon the throne
Shall shepherd them, and He alone
Protect their habitations.

Among His sheep His voice is known;
They follow Him demurely.
Likewise, He well knows all His own
And life vouchsafes securely.
No one can snatch them from His hand;
From hunger, thirst and heat this band
He will deliver surely.

Amen! Our shepherd is the Lamb,
One with the heav'nly Father.
Amen! You sons of Abraham,
By grace made righteous, gather:
Join in the saints' and angels' praise
As heaven-shaking hymns they raise
To Christ, our Lord and Brother.