He Leadeth Me

Songbook Hymn Sermons

He Leadeth Me
A Sermon based on the Hymn “He Leadeth Me” by Joseph H. Gilmore

Introduction:
The Christian walk is a journey filled with choices, challenges, and changes. We often face uncertainty, but the hymn “He Leadeth Me” reminds us that God’s guidance is constant, reliable, and perfect. Written in 1862 by Joseph H. Gilmore, this song was born from a meditation on Psalm 23:2—“He leadeth me beside the still waters.” It speaks of a life lived in daily surrender to the Lord’s direction, trusting that His wisdom surpasses our own. God’s leading is not just for the great crossroads of life but for every step along the way (Proverbs 3:5–6). In times of peace, He guides us gently; in times of trial, He leads us firmly. This hymn calls us to rest in the Shepherd’s care, to follow His voice with confidence, and to rejoice in His providential hand. Each stanza affirms that no matter the season or circumstance, the believer’s security lies in the One who leads.

Stanza 1
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.

This verse declares the comfort of knowing God’s hand directs our path. His leadership is not distant or impersonal—it is intimate and purposeful. Psalm 139:10 assures us that His hand will guide and hold us wherever we go, while Isaiah 58:11 promises His continual guidance and satisfaction in dry places.

Stanza 2
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.

Whether we walk through joy or sorrow, God’s hand remains steady (Isaiah 41:13). “Scenes of deepest gloom” remind us of His nearness to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). “Eden’s bowers” point to times of abundance, where we must remember to thank and honor Him (Deuteronomy 8:10–11). Whether in still waters or stormy seas, He remains sovereign, as seen when Jesus calmed the storm (Mark 4:39).

Stanza 3
Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.

Here we hear the voice of willing submission. “Clasp Thy hand” reflects dependence on God’s direction (Psalm 25:4–5). “Nor murmur nor repine” calls us to replace complaint with thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:18). True contentment, as Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11–13, flows from trusting God’s plan in all circumstances.

Stanza 4
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 through Jordan leadeth me.

This final verse assures us that God will lead us even through death. “Task on earth is done” reminds us of finishing the race (2 Timothy 4:7–8). “Death’s cold wave” points to the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4), which holds no fear for the believer, for Christ leads us safely home (John 14:3; Revelation 7:17).

Chorus
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful foll’wer I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

The chorus is a joyful pledge of obedience. It echoes John 10:27–28, where Jesus says His sheep hear His voice and follow Him, and Romans 8:14, which assures us that those led by the Spirit are children of God.

He Leadeth Me Sermon Outline:

Introduction:

• God’s leadership is the believer’s confidence (Psalm 23:2)

• His guidance is both personal and providential (Proverbs 3:5–6)

• The hymn expresses trust in His hand through all of life’s seasons

Stanza 1 – Comfort in God’s Personal Leading (Psalm 139:10; Isaiah 58:11; Joshua 1:9; Psalm 73:23–24)

• “O blessed thought” – Joy in knowing God’s care is constant

• “Whate’er I do, where’er I be” – His presence is not confined to place or circumstance

• “God’s hand” – Symbol of His power, direction, and protection

Stanza 2 – God’s Presence in Every Season (Isaiah 41:13; Psalm 34:18; Deuteronomy 8:10–11; Psalm 46:1–2; Mark 4:39)

• “Scenes of deepest gloom” – God’s nearness in sorrow

• “Eden’s bowers bloom” – God’s presence in abundance

• “By waters still, o’er troubled sea” – His sovereignty in peace and chaos

Stanza 3 – Contentment Through Submission (Philippians 4:11–13; Hebrews 13:5; Psalm 25:4–5; 1 Thessalonians 5:18)

• “Clasp Thy hand in mine” – Choosing dependence on God

• “Nor murmur nor repine” – Trusting without complaint

• “Content, whatever lot I see” – Living by faith in every circumstance

Stanza 4 – God’s Leading into Eternity (Psalm 23:4; John 14:1–3; Revelation 7:17; Hebrews 2:14–15; Joshua 3:14–17; 2 Timothy 4:7–8)

• “Task on earth is done” – Completion of earthly mission

• “Death’s cold wave” – Facing death with courage

• “Through Jordan” – Passing safely into eternal rest

Chorus – Commitment to Follow (John 10:27–28; Romans 8:14; Luke 9:23; Proverbs 3:5–6)

• “By His own hand” – Personal relationship with the Shepherd

• “Faithful foll’wer I would be” – Obedience as the mark of discipleship

• “For by His hand He leadeth me” – Trust in divine leadership over self-reliance

Call to Action:
Follow God’s leading in every step of life. Trust His direction in both peace and difficulty, embrace His guidance with contentment, and hold to His hand until He leads you safely into His eternal kingdom.

Key Takeaways:

• God’s hand guides and sustains us (Psalm 139:10)

• His presence remains in both joy and trial (Isaiah 41:13)

• Contentment flows from trusting His leadership (Philippians 4:11)

• He will lead us through death into eternal life (John 14:3)

• Faithfulness is the mark of His followers (John 10:27)

Scripture Reference List:

• Psalm 23:2 – God leads beside still waters

• Proverbs 3:5–6 – Trust in the Lord for direction

• Psalm 139:10 – God’s hand will guide

• Isaiah 58:11 – The Lord will guide continually

• Joshua 1:9 – God’s presence wherever we go

• Psalm 73:23–24 – God holds and guides us

• Isaiah 41:13 – God holds our right hand

• Psalm 34:18 – Near to the brokenhearted

• Deuteronomy 8:10–11 – Remember the Lord in abundance

• Psalm 46:1–2 – God our refuge in trouble

• Mark 4:39 – Jesus calms the storm

• Philippians 4:11–13 – Learning contentment

• Hebrews 13:5 – God will never leave nor forsake

• Psalm 25:4–5 – Teach me Your ways

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Give thanks in everything

• John 14:1–3 – Jesus prepares a place for us

• Revelation 7:17 – The Lamb will lead them to living waters

• Hebrews 2:14–15 – Freedom from the fear of death

• Joshua 3:14–17 – God leads His people across Jordan

• 2 Timothy 4:7–8 – Finishing the race faithfully

• John 10:27–28 – My sheep hear My voice

• Romans 8:14 – Led by the Spirit

• Luke 9:23 – Following Christ daily

Song History:
“He Leadeth Me” was written by Joseph H. Gilmore in 1862 after delivering a sermon on Psalm 23. He penned the words at a friend’s home, inspired by the thought that God’s guidance is the believer’s greatest assurance. William B. Bradbury later set the text to music, and the hymn has since encouraged countless Christians to trust God’s hand through every circumstance.

Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

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