Savior Who Thy Flock art Feeding
Savior, who Thy flock art feeding
The hymn expresses trust in Christ as the Good Shepherd, emphasizing His protective care and sustenance of the faithful flock, central to Lutheran soteriology. It connects pastoral imagery with eucharistic theology, presenting Christ's provision as both spiritual nourishment and protection.
History & Background
This hymn appears in 19th-century English hymnals with uncertain authorship, likely originating from Anglican or Methodist sources. It was included in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 631, where it has remained a standard pastoral hymn.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 631
Bulletin Note
Authorship unknown, this 1800s hymn employs the shepherd motif central to Lutheran pastoral theology, uniting Christ's protective care with eucharistic nourishment—grace made tangible in bread and wine.
Preaching Connection
This hymn's pastoral imagery transforms Law's exposure of our helplessness into Gospel assurance: the Shepherd who seeks the lost actively feeds, guards, and saves His own flock through grace.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law-Gospel movement: human righteousness exposed as insufficient (stanzas 1-2), Christ's alien righteousness imputed and clothing the believer (stanzas 3-4), concluding in faith-alone boasting
Themes
Christ the Good Shepherd Divine care and protection Eucharistic nourishment Trust in Christ