The gospel hymn "He Leadeth Me" was written by Joseph Gilmore on March 26, 1862. From an account of the author himself, he had been speaking at the Wednesday evening service of the First Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Corner of Broad and Arch Streets, about the 23rd Psalm, and have been impressed with the blessedness of being led by God…
Birth of the Worship Hymn "He Leadeth Me"
At the close of the service they adjourned to Deacon Watson's pleasant home where they were being entertained. During their conversation the blessedness of God's leading grew upon Gilmore that he took out his pencil, wrote the hymn just as it stands today, handed it to his wife, and thought no more of it. Without Gilmore's knowledge, his wife sent it to the Watchman and Reflector magazine, and there it first appeared in print.
Author / Hymnwriter Joseph Gilmore
Joseph Henry Gilmore (1834 - 1918) was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 29, 1834. His father was the governor of the state of New Hampshire for a period of time. He graduated from the Newton Theological Seminary in 1861. He pastored several Baptist chruches, served as a secretary to his father the governor, was a professor of Hebrew at Newton Seminary, and later taught English literature at Rochester University, where he published several college texts in these subjects. Gilmore also wrote other hymns, but none ever gained the acceptance that "He Leadeth Me" did. Although Gilmore was highly respected in both religious and educational circles, he is best remembered for this written text when he was just 28 years old.
Composer William B. Bradbury
William B. Bradbury, an important contributor to the developent of early gospel hymnody, saw this text in the Watchman and Reflector Magazine in 1863 and wrote this fitting melody to match the words. He also added two additional lines to the chorus, "His faithful follower I would be, for by His hand He Leadeth me."
The hymn "He Leadeth Me" has been translated into many different languages. In 1926, when the first Baptist Church building of Philadelphia at the busy Broad and Arch intersection was demolished, it was replaced by a large office building. In the corner of the building was placed a bronze tablet, which still remains today, containing the words of the first verse of "He Leadeth Me," in recognition of the beauty of this beloved hymn, and in remembrance of its distinguished author.
Lyrics of "He Leadeth Me"
1. He leadeth me, O blessèd 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.
2. 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
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 the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.
Refrain
Source:
101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications, Michigan, 1982
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