The little flock, on Zion's hill

“The little flock, on Zion’s hill” is a hymn that, to me, is of unknown origin. It appears possibly as early as 1790, in Society Hymns, Original and Selected on Evangelical and Experimental Subjects.[i]This book was published by Manning & Loring of Boston. It is “Hymn II” with the caption “The Church’s Request.” The hymn is structured as a prayer from a newly-formed congregation (our infant state) to the Lord in heaven, to bless them with a faithful pastor. The hymn is seven stanzas of Common Meter, and might be sung with most any good Common Meter tune already used by a congregation.

The hymn book itself states neither an editor nor an affiliation (unless some front matter is missing in the copy I found online). It has multiple texts from John Rippon’s Selection (and many other sources, of course).

1. The little flock, on Zion’s hill,
In happy union blest,
Implore their great Redeemer, still
To grant them one request.

2. Distinguish’d mercy found a place,
And led the flock to rest:
Head of thy church, we seek thy face,
To grant us one request.

3. Thy sovereign favours, freely giv’n,
Our hearts have deep imprest;
Still hear our pray’r, indulgent Heav’n,
And grant us one request.

4. While some are gather’d to the fold,
By mercy’s high behest,
Do thou our infant state behold,
And grant us one request.

5. With thoughtless souls, and anxious mind
Thy courts are daily prest;
That each a portion here may find,
O grant us this request.

6. A faithful pastor, Lord, prepare;
’Twas Jesus’ great bequest;
For this we raise our ceaseless prayer:
O grant this one request.

7. Then shall our grateful hearts adore
Thine interposing love;
This gift bestow’d, we’ll grieve no more,
But wait the joys above.

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[i] There is some concern as to the correct date of Society Hymns. Though some sites online give 1790, there is no date in the book itself. Hathi Trust has “between 1790 and 1799” – with a question mark.