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.
Refrain
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, over troubled sea,
Still ‘tis His hand that leadeth me. Refrain
Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ‘tis my God that leadeth me. Refrain
And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me. Refrain
About the writer: Joseph Henry Gilmore, a Baptist minister, was born in Boston in 1834. He entered Brown University in 1854 and graduated with high honors in 1858. That same year he entered Newton Theological Seminary, graduating in 1861. He was ordained in 1862 as pastor of a Baptist Church in Fisherville, New Hampshire. In 1868 he became professor of logic and English literature at the University of Rochester, a position he held until his death. He wrote many scholarly works, including Outlines of English and American Literature, 1905, and a number of hymns.
Key Verses: The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. –Psalm 23:1-3