I Was A Wandering Sheep

Horatius Bonar wrote this hymn as a heartfelt reflection on the grace of God that seeks out the lost sinner and brings him home. The text is centered on the tender picture found in the parable of the Good Shepherd, where the Lord Jesus describes His care for every wandering soul. The hymn begins with honest confession. The singer admits that he was once far from God, careless, and unmindful of divine love. This sense of lostness is not presented with despair, but with recognition of the miracle that followed. Christ sought the wandering sheep, called gently, and brought the sinner back into the safety of His fold.

As the verses progress, the hymn recounts how the Savior pursued with patient love, how His voice awakened the heart, and how His compassion overcame resistance. Bonar draws attention to the personal nature of salvation. The sheep is not rescued by force but by the Shepherd’s persistent kindness. The hymn celebrates the transformation that takes place when a soul hears the call of Christ and responds in faith. Joy replaces fear, rest replaces restlessness, and fellowship with God replaces the lonely path of sin.

The closing thoughts of the hymn point to the ongoing security found in the Shepherd’s care. The rescued believer continues to depend on the strength and guidance of Christ, who guards, leads, and upholds His own. The hymn remains a treasured testimony of sovereign grace, heartfelt repentance, and the comfort of belonging to the Shepherd who never abandons His sheep.