Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
A Welsh pilgrim hymn asking Jehovah to lead through life's wilderness to Canaan.
Download PDFA Welsh pilgrim hymn asking Jehovah to lead through life's wilderness to Canaan. Written by William Williams (1745), set to the tune "Cwm Rhondda" by John Hughes.
Suggested pairing scripture
Exodus 13:21
"And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night."
Read Exodus 13:21 (KJV) aloud as a call to worship before the congregation sings "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah." It anchors the hymn in the Word from which it flows.
Read in contextWhen to sing this
Sing at Thanksgiving, year-end services, and anniversaries that recall God's faithful care.
Lyrics
Stanza 1
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.
Stanza 2
Open now the crystal fountain Whence the healing stream doth flow; Let the fiery, 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.
Stanza 3
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.
History & Background
Written in Welsh by William Williams Pantycelyn in 1745 ('Arglwydd, arwain trwy'r anialwch') during the Welsh Methodist revival. Peter Williams translated the first stanza into English in 1771. The famous tune 'Cwm Rhondda' was composed by John Hughes in 1907 for a Baptist Cymanfa Ganu in Pontypridd, Wales. Sung at the funerals of Princess Diana and the weddings of Prince William and Queen Elizabeth II.
Scripture Behind the Hymn
Exodus 13:21
"And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night."Read in context
John 6:35
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."Read in context
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Cwm Rhondda' mean?
It is Welsh for 'Rhondda Valley,' the South Wales coal-mining valley where John Hughes composed the tune in 1907. The hymn is sometimes simply called 'Bread of Heaven.'
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Where to go next
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