The shadow comes and casts its blight

Obscuring grace and masking sight

Here in the small hours of the night

Far, far away now seems the light

The sound of weeping in the soul

A filthy sheep lost in a hole;

When least my thoughts I can control

And ne'er my will would be cajoled.

My foes they mock and gather round

The battle lost, the captive bound

The sheep it seems was never found;

The shepherd safe on higher ground?

But wherefore do I now survey

Myself removed and in my place

The selfsame shepherd I betrayed

Yet wearing my disfigured face

The shadow darkens and they flee;

Alone and torn upon that tree,

My shepherd, glorious "I AM HE",

He pays and dies to set me free

The shepherd never left my side

Though I in selfishness did hide

He stood against the wrathful tide

That I in him may e'er abide

So bleat will I through endless days

In joining with creation's praise

Exalting him whom God did raise

And glory only in his gaze