He Leadeth Me, LBW 501
1 He leadeth me: oh, blessed thought!
Oh, 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 leadesth me.
His faithful foll'wer I would be,
For by his hand he leadeth me.
2 Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
By waters calm, o'er troubled sea,
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
Refrain
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.
Refrain
4 And when my task on earth is done,
When by thy grace vict'ry's won,
E'en death's cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.
Refrain
Devotion
“He Leadeth Me” is a precious hymn. The words used in the Spanish version are richer in essence. The first paragraph and refrain say:
He leadeth me: oh, blessed thought!
Oh, 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 leadesth me.
His faithful foll'wer I would be,
For by his hand he leadeth me.
We are in constant battle against the world, the flesh and evil. Often the defeat seems inevitable. The opening lines of this hymn seem to bring instant relief to a difficult situation. So it is good to remember that our lives are in God’s hands and we need to look for his guidance at any time. There is no better love than God’s love.
Prayer
Dear God, your love is incomparable. Nobody is like you. Help me to remember that there are no better hands than yours to lead my life. Amen.