HYMN OF THEÂ MONTH:
He Leadeth Me
by Joseph H. Gilmore, 1834-1918
William Williams Pantycelyn—usually referred to as William Williams—was born in 1717 in rural Wales. He originally planned to study medicine, but through the ministry of Howell Harris during the Welsh Methodist Revival, God led him instead into preaching.
Williams became a traveling preacher, going from place to place across Wales to share the gospel. Though he had a home base*, he rarely stayed in one place for long. He knew what it was like to be tired, to face difficult conditions, and to depend on God each day. So when he later described the believer in a hymn as a “pilgrim through this barren land,” it was a picture that likely felt very familiar to him.
Williams also became one of the most important hymn writers of the revival, writing hundreds of hymns in Welsh to help people learn and remember biblical truth. Known as the “sweet singer of Wales,” he wrote from both Scripture and experience.
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah remains one of his best-known hymns and continues to give voice to the believer’s need for God’s guidance and provision through our earthly journey.
* Pantycelyn was the name of the farm where Williams lived. The name means “hollow of the holly trees,” and because “William Williams” was such a common name, people began using “Pantycelyn” to distinguish him from others.
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Read & Relate
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
By William Williams, 1717-1791
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah!Â
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
Hold me with thy powerful hand:
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven,
Feed me till I want no more.
Exodus 16:4; Deut. 8:3; John 6:35; Matthew 6:11
Open thou the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing streams do flow,
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar,
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong Deliverer, Strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my strength and shield.
Be Thou still my strength and shield.
Exodus 17:6; Exodus 13:21; 1 Corinthians 10:4; Isaiah 58:11
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of deaths, and hell's Destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan's side:
Songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever sing to Thee.
I will ever sing to Thee.
Joshua 3:17; Joshua 1:9; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57; Revelation 7: 9-10
