Christian
Hymn
He Leadeth Me
The
hymn "He Leadeth Me" was written by Joseph H. Gilmore in 1862,
inspired by his reflections on Psalm 23. It is a hymn that expresses trust and
surrender to God's guidance and providence in the journey of life. The hymn
consists of four verses, each highlighting different aspects of God's leading
and the believer's response.
Verse
1 begins with the proclamation that God's leadership is a blessed thought and a
source of heavenly comfort. The singer acknowledges that in every circumstance
and wherever they may be, it is God's hand that leads them. The repetition of
the phrase "He leadeth me" emphasizes the continuous and unwavering
guidance of God.
Verse
2 acknowledges that life is not always filled with joy and ease. There are
times of deep gloom and also moments of beauty and tranquility. In both
situations, the singer recognizes that it is still God's hand that leads them.
This verse portrays God's presence and guidance as constant, regardless of the
circumstances.
In
Verse 3, the singer expresses their desire to hold God's hand and to refrain
from complaining or resenting their circumstances. They find contentment in
knowing that whatever they may face, it is their God who leads them. This verse
reflects the surrender and trust of the believer, accepting God's leading
without resistance.
Verse
4 brings the hymn to a culmination. It speaks of the completion of the
believer's earthly journey and the ultimate victory that comes through God's
grace. Even in the face of death, symbolized by "Jordan," the singer
declares that they will not fear or try to escape. Instead, they will
confidently move forward, knowing that God leads them even through the final transition.
Throughout
the hymn, the central theme is the recognition of God's guidance and the
believer's willingness to follow. It emphasizes trust, surrender, and
contentment in the knowledge that God's hand is always leading, regardless of
the circumstances. The hymn serves as a reminder of the believer's dependence
on God's direction and the comfort found in knowing that they are faithfully
following their Heavenly Guide.
He Leadeth Me
Verse
1
He
leadeth me: O blessed thought!
O
words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er
I do, where’er I be,
Still
’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
He
leadeth me, He leadeth me;
By
His own hand He leadeth me:
His
faithful foll’wer I would be,
For
by His hand He leadeth me.
Verse
2
Sometimes
‘mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes
where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By
waters calm, o’er troubled sea,
Still
’tis His hand that leadeth me.
He
leadeth me, He leadeth me;
By
His own hand He leadeth me:
His
faithful foll’wer I would be,
For
by His hand He leadeth me.
Verse
3
Lord,
I would clasp Thy hand in mine,
Nor
ever murmur nor repine;
Content,
whatever lot I see,
Since
’tis my God that leadeth me.
He
leadeth me, He leadeth me;
By
His own hand He leadeth me:
His
faithful foll’wer I would be,
For
by His hand He leadeth me.
Verse
4
And
when my task on earth is done,
When,
by Thy grace, the vict’rys won,
E’en
death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since
God through Jordan leadeth me.
He
leadeth me, He leadeth me;
By
His own hand He leadeth me:
His
faithful foll’wer I would be,
For
by His hand He leadeth me.
