Great Shepherd of thy people, hear

Great Shepherd of thy people, hear. John Newton* (1725-1807). This hymn first appeared in Olney Hymns Book II, ‘On Occasional Subjects’, with a first stanza beginning ‘O Lord, our languid souls inspire’ (Hymn XLIII) . It was followed by William Cowper*’s ‘Jesus, where’er thy people meet’*. Both were written for the same occasion, the opening of a new meeting room for public worship in the Great House at Olney in 1769. Newton’s was given the title ‘On opening a Place for social Prayer’, and Cowper’s ‘Another’. Newton’s original had seven 4-line stanzas: O Lord, our languid souls inspire, For here, we trust, thou art! Send down a coal of heav’nly fire, To warm each waiting heart. Dear...