A Story on the Hymn, “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” by William Petersen

The author of this hymn, William Williams, had been preparing for a career in medicine, but one Sunday morning he heard a man preaching in a Welsh churchyard. He responded in faith, and his life was drastically changed. For forty-three years, he preached and sang throughout Wales and became known as the poet laureate of the Welsh revival. Soon all Wales was singing their way to the coal mines and the soccer matches, and this became their favorite marching song.

In the hymn, Williams compares the Christian life to the Israelites’ trek through the wilderness. He refers to God feeding the children of Israel with manna, leading them with fire and a cloudy pillar, and finally guiding them across the Jordan River into Canaan.

Scriptures: Exodus 13:22; Exodus 16:15; Psalm 48:14; Isaiah 58:11
Themes: Guidance, Deliverance, Security

Lyrics of the Hymn:
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
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,
Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and 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.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death and hell’s destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side;
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to Thee,
I will ever give to Thee.

By WILLIAM WILLIAMS (1717–1791)
Stanza 1 translated from Welsh by Peter Williams (1722–1796) Stanzas 2 and 3 probably translated by the author.

Reference for the Hymn:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (p. 394). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.