He Leadeth Me

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters (Psalm 23:1-2),

The hymn “He Leadeth Me” was written in 1862 by Joseph Henry Gilmore, a young Baptist minister, during the American Civil War. Inspired by Psalm 23, Gilmore penned the words after a sermon in Philadelphia, never imagining they would later be set to music and become one of the most beloved hymns of the Christian faith. Gilmore (1834–1918) was a seminary professor, Baptist minister, and later professor of literature at the University of Rochester.

Gilmore was preaching a sermon on the Twenty-Third Psalm at the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia when  he became so captivated by the phrase “He leadeth me” that he never moved beyond it. Afterward, in conversation with friends, he wrote down the verses that became the hymn. Gilmore first considered his words as a poem and not a hymn. His wife sent it to the Watchman and Reflector magazine without his knowledge. Later, Gilmore was surprised to discover his words published as a hymn. Composer William B. Bradbury, known for "Jesus Loves Me," set the poem to music, giving it the melody we know today.

"He Leadeth Me came about, not because of some literary ambition, but from a moment of spiritual clarity as the simple truth of God's guidance gripped a young pastor as he delivered his midweek sermon. He couldn't get the words, "He leadeth me," from Psalms 23 from his mind, so he penciled the poem after the service. What began as a few penciled lines became a hymn sung across generations. It continues to offer comfort in seasons of uncertainty and anchors believers in the assurance that God's hand still leads his people, one of God's important truths.

He Leadeth Me

                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.
                Sometimes 'mid scenes of deepest gloom,
                Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
                By waters still, o'er troubled sea,
                Still 'tis His hand that leadeth me.
                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.
                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.

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