Souls of men, why will ye scatter (Johann Ludwig Steiner)
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- (Posted 2021-02-13) CPDL #62864:
- Editor: Andrew Sims (submitted 2021-02-13). Score information: A4, 2 pages, 56 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: The hymn with four-part harmony and underlaid words in the version published in Hymns Ancient & Modern New Standard
- (Posted 2021-02-13) CPDL #62863:
- Editor: Andrew Sims (submitted 2021-02-13). Score information: A4, 1 page, 78 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: The hymn in the version published in Hymns Ancient & Modern New Standard, melody with words.
General Information
Title: Souls of men, why will ye scatter
Composer: Johann Ludwig Steiner
Tune: Gott will's machen
Lyricist: Frederick William Faber
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Hymn} Meter: 87. 87
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella or keyboard
First published:
2nd published: 1983 in Hymns Ancient and Modern, New Standard, no. 251
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
Souls of men, why will ye scatter
like a crowd of frightened sheep?
Foolish hearts, why will ye wander
from a love so true and deep?
Was there ever kindest shepherd
half so gentle, half so sweet,
as the Saviour who would have us
come and gather round his feet?
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
like the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in his justice
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than up in heaven;
there is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgement given.
There is plentiful redemption
in the blood that has been shed;
there is joy for all the members
in the sorrows of the Head.
For the love of God is broader
than the measures of man’s mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
Pining souls, come nearer Jesus,
and oh, come not doubting thus,
but with faith that trusts more bravely
his huge tenderness for us.
If our love were but more simple,
we should take him at his word;
and our lives would be all sunshine
in the sweetness of our Lord.