Gaither Vocal Band - Jesus Hold My Hand Lyrics
Lyrics
As I travel through this pilgrim land
There is a friend who walks with me
Leads me safely through the sinking sand
It is the Christ at Calvary
This would be my prayer, dear Lord, each day
You help me do the best I can
For I need Thy light to guide me day and night
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand
Jesus, hold my hand
For I need Thee every hour
Through this pilgrim land
Protect me by Thy power
Hear my feeble plea
O Lord, look down on me
When I kneel in prayer
I hope to meet You there
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand
Let me travel in the light divine
That I may see the blessed way
Keep me that I may be wholly Thine
And sing 'Redemption's Song' some day
I will be a soldier brave and true
And ever firmly take a stand
As I onward go and daily meet the foe
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand
Jesus, hold my hand
I need Thee every hour
Through this pilgrim land
Protect me by Thy power
Hear my feeble plea
And O Lord look down on me
When I kneel in prayer
I hope to meet You there
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand
When I kneel in prayer
I hope to meet You there
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand
Video
Bill & Gloria Gaither - Jesus, Hold My Hand [Live] ft. Jeff & Sheri Easter, Ben Speer
Meaning & Inspiration
The Gaither Vocal Band’s rendition of "Jesus Hold My Hand," released on January 1, 2011, as part of their album "I Am a Promise," offers a profound spiritual anchor in a world often feeling adrift. This beloved hymn, originally penned by Albert E. Brumley in 1933, finds renewed relevance through the Gaither Vocal Band’s distinctive vocal harmonies, delivering its timeless message with clarity and conviction. The song's core meaning revolves around the human need for divine companionship, guidance, and protection throughout life's journey, recognizing Jesus Christ as the ever-present helper and protector.
The narrative of "Jesus Hold My Hand" begins by painting life as a "pilgrim land," a journey full of unpredictable paths and challenges, often likened to "sinking sand." This imagery immediately resonates with the Christian understanding of life as a temporary sojourn towards an eternal home, a concept echoed in Hebrews 11:13, which speaks of believers confessing that they are "strangers and exiles on the earth." The profound comfort arrives with the introduction of a constant companion: "the Christ at Calvary." This declaration grounds the song's hope in the redemptive work of Jesus' sacrifice, establishing His unique qualification to lead and protect. Without His foundational act of love, the pilgrimage would be aimless and without true hope, but with Him, every step is purposeful, even through treacherous terrain, much like Psalm 23:4 affirms, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me."
The song then transitions into a deeply personal prayer, expressing a daily dependence on divine aid. The plea "You help me do the best I can, For I need Thy light to guide me day and night" encapsulates the human condition of striving combined with an awareness of inherent limitation. It is a humble acknowledgment that even our best efforts require heavenly wisdom and strength. This longing for "light to guide me" is a universal human cry for direction, perfectly aligned with Proverbs 3:5-6, which advises, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." The recurring petition, "Blessed Jesus, hold my hand," is not a passive request but an active invitation for intimate, unwavering fellowship and leadership, recognizing Jesus as the one who promises never to leave nor forsake His followers (Hebrews 13:5).
The chorus expands this heartfelt request into a powerful declaration of continuous need: "I need Thee every hour." This hourly dependence underscores the constant spiritual battles and decisions faced, emphasizing that reliance on God is not just for moments of crisis but for every waking moment. The desire for protection "by Thy power" highlights God's omnipotence as the ultimate source of safety, a truth proclaimed throughout Scripture, such as in 2 Thessalonians 3:3, "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." The act of kneeling in prayer, with the expectation to "meet You there," reinforces the accessible nature of God through communication, confirming the promise found in Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Prayer becomes a tangible bridge to the divine presence, a place where assurance and comfort are found.
Further exploring themes of sanctification and heavenly anticipation, the song’s later verses ask, "Let me travel in the light divine, That I may see the blessed way, Keep me that I may be wholly Thine, And sing 'Redemption's Song' some day." This reflects a longing for a life consecrated to God, seeking to walk in His truth and righteousness, which the Bible describes as walking in the light (1 John 1:7). The aspiration to be "wholly Thine" is a commitment to complete devotion, aligning with the call for holiness in 1 Peter 1:15-16, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" The anticipation of singing "Redemption's Song" points to the ultimate hope of glorification and eternal worship in heaven, a vision vividly depicted in Revelation 5:9 where the redeemed sing a new song to the Lamb. The final imagery of being "a soldier brave and true" who will "firmly take a stand" against "the foe" evokes the spiritual warfare that believers engage in, as outlined in Ephesians 6:11-12, calling us to "put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." Through all these trials and triumphs, the enduring plea remains, "Blessed Jesus, hold my hand," solidifying the understanding that every victory and every step forward is ultimately empowered by His steadfast presence and strength. This Gaither Vocal Band arrangement powerfully communicates the enduring truth that no matter the path, the believer is never truly alone, but constantly upheld by a loving, mighty, and ever-present Savior.