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
'Cause 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
Gaither, TaRanda Greene, Michael English - Jesus Hold My Hand Lyric Video
Jesus Hold My Hand Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
The song "Jesus Hold My Hand," performed by Michael English, notably featured in a Gaither video alongside TaRanda Greene, is a deeply personal and universal expression of faith and reliance. The lyrics portray life as a challenging journey, a "pilgrim land" filled with potential pitfalls like "sinking sand" and encounters with a "foe." Amidst this journey, the singer identifies a steadfast companion in "the Christ at Calvary," a friend offering guidance and safety. The core of the song is a heartfelt daily prayer for divine assistance to navigate life well, seeking God's light for constant guidance.
The repeated chorus encapsulates the central plea and its motivation: "Jesus, hold my hand, for I need Thee every hour." This highlights a profound sense of dependence, recognizing that strength and safety ("Protect me by Thy power") come solely from Jesus. The singer vocalizes a "feeble plea," emphasizing humility and the human need for divine intervention. The act of prayer is presented as a direct connection, a moment and place where the believer hopes to meet and commune with God ("When I kneel in prayer, I hope to meet You there"). This reflects the assurance of God's presence and accessibility through prayer.
Further verses expand on the aspiration for a life lived in devotion. The desire to "travel in the light divine" expresses a longing for moral and spiritual clarity, wanting to see and follow "the blessed way." The commitment to being "wholly Thine" signifies surrender and dedication. The imagery shifts to that of a spiritual "soldier brave and true," ready to "firmly take a stand" against adversarial forces. This reflects the active aspect of faith, facing challenges head-on while continuously relying on Jesus's support as one "onward go and daily meet the foe."
The themes woven throughout the lyrics resonate deeply with various biblical passages. The concept of life as a pilgrimage or journey is found in scriptures like Hebrews 11:13-16 and 1 Peter 2:11. The constant presence and guidance of Christ are promised in Matthew 28:20 and depicted in Psalm 23. The need for divine power and protection mirrors themes in Psalm 91 and Ephesians 6:10-18, which also describes the believer as a spiritual soldier. The act of prayer and seeking God's face is a central practice encouraged throughout scripture, such as in Matthew 6:6 and James 4:8. Walking in divine light is a theme in passages like 1 John 1:7 and Ephesians 5:8, symbolizing a life lived in truth and holiness. The song beautifully brings these scriptural ideas together in a simple yet powerful prayer for help.
Overall, "Jesus Hold My Hand" serves as an anthem of unwavering trust and vulnerability in the face of life's uncertainties. It is a reminder that regardless of the challenges encountered in this earthly journey, there is a constant, powerful presence available through faith and prayer. The song's enduring appeal lies in its honest portrayal of human weakness and the triumphant assurance found in the divine promise of companionship, guidance, and strength offered through Jesus.