O Guide to Every Child

84 O Guide to Every Child

1 O Guide to every child of thine,
   To untamed colt, the bridle
   To bird in flight, controlling wing,
   To periled sailor, rudder,
   We'll follow thee, a King's own flock,
   And praise in all simplicity
   The guiding Christ, our shepherd.

2 Thou manpursuing Fisherman,
   Who harmest not but savest,
   Draw thy protecting net around
   The catch of thine apostles.
   From sordid waves of worldly sea
   Preserve us, Lord, for life, thy gift
   To those whom thou dost capture.

3 Thou givest us that food unseen
   The world knows not nor treasures;
   Give milk or bread or solid food
   As fits my understanding.
   So thank we all the mighty Child
   Through whom we know thee, God of peace,
   And call thee heavenly Father.
                         Clement of Alexandria
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1964 edition

<idle musing>
According to Hymnary.org, this hymn only occurs in two hymnals—both of them United Methodist. It's one of two hymns by Clement in this hymnal. I blogged about the other one a few years ago.

By the way, I'm finding that about 2/3–3/4 of the hymns in this hymnal I've already blogged from the 1939 version, which is why there are gaps in the postings.
</idle musing>

Shepherd of tender youth (Clement of Alexandria)

429 Kirby Bedon. 6 .6 .4. 6. 6. 6. 4.

1 Shepherd of tender youth,
   guiding in love and truth
   through devious ways,
   Christ, our triumphant King,
   we come your name to sing
   and here our children bring
   to join your praise.

2 You are our holy Lord,
   Christ, the incarnate Word,
   healer of strife.
   You did yourself abase
   that from sin's deep disgrace
   you might now save our race,
   and give us life.

3 You are the great High Priest,
   you have prepared the feast
   of holy love;
   and in our mortal pain
   none calls on you in vain;
   our plea do not disdain;
   help from above.

4 O ever be our guide,
   our shepherd and our pride,
   our staff and song.
   Jesus, O Christ of God,
   by your enduring Word
   lead us where you have trod;
   make our faith strong.

5 So now and till we die
   sound we your praises high
   and joyful sing:
   infants and all the throng
   who to your Church belong,
   unite to swell the song
   to Christ, our King!
                         Clement of Alexandria
                         Tr. by Henry M. Dexter
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
According to the note below the hymn, this is the oldest extant Christian hymn!
</idle musing>