Lyrics
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.
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.
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.
Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since it is Thou hand that leadest me.
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.
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 Thou in triumph leadest me.
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,
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
For by His hands, He leadeth me
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Meaning & Inspiration
He Leadeth Me expresses quiet confidence in divine guidance through changing circumstances. The hymn moves from deepest gloom and troubled seas to still waters and flourishing places, yet its central confession remains unchanged: God leads by his own hand. That constancy gives the singer reason to reject complaint, accept each allotted path, and remain a faithful follower. Guidance is presented not as freedom from hardship but as the sustaining presence of God within it.
Psalm 23:2-4 stands close to the hymn, especially in its images of still waters, dark valleys, and a shepherd who remains near. Psalm 73:24 also matches the assurance that God guides with counsel and ultimately receives the faithful into glory. The final stanza extends that confidence to death, describing grace, victory, and safe passage beyond earthly labor. Repetition of the title line reinforces dependence rather than self-direction. Across each verse, comfort comes from whose hand leads, allowing trust to endure in peace, trouble, duty, and the approach of death.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 23:2-4 The psalm portrays God guiding beside still waters and remaining present through the darkest valley.
- Psalm 73:24 The psalmist trusts God to guide with counsel and afterward receive him into glory.