The words to this hymn were written in 1862 by Dr. Joseph Gilmore, son of a Governor of New Hampshire. He was supplying for a couple of weeks at the First Baptist Church in Philadelphia, and working on an exposition of the Twenty-third Psalm.
This was during the darkest hour of the Civil War, and may have led him to realize that God's leadership is the one significant fact in human experience. It makes no difference how we are led, so long as we are sure God is leading.
At the close of the meeting a few met in the parlor of the host, and one of those attending kept talking on the thought that Dr. Gilmore had emphasized. Right there, Dr. Gilmore took a blank page, and penciled the hymn. He handed it to his wife, and thought no more about it. She sent it to The Watchman and Reflector, where it was first printed.
Dr. Gilmore did not know until 1865 that his hymn had been set to music by William Bradbury. He went to Rochester to preach as a candidate, went into their chapel, and picked up a hymnal to see what they were singing. He opened it to his own hymn, "He Leadeth Me".
Psalm 23:3
What good harmony. I really like the young lady's voice on the left end. Happy Sunday, Beverly.
Posted by: Sally | July 12, 2009 at 07:07 AM
Thank you Bev I have not joined a spiritual,church etc because of trauma 10 yrs ago from spiritual group that was a cult. lol Denise
Posted by: Denise | July 12, 2009 at 07:27 AM
I love your background information on a traditional hymn from my church while growing up. What a sweet group of girls.
Posted by: Nancy | July 12, 2009 at 09:38 AM
Hi Beverly,
I have always enjoyed this hymn, Thank you for sharing the information too.
Blessings,
Sue
Posted by: Sue | July 12, 2009 at 01:41 PM
Wonderful. I always appreciate the hymn story. It helps add meaning to the words. This is one of my favorite hymns and I like this version but I guess it's because I'm old but I like the older version better. I appreciate your post.
Posted by: Clif | July 12, 2009 at 01:58 PM
I love this song SO much. At one of the darkest points of my life, the Lord quickened this hymn to me, Beverly, and it blessed me more than I can ever begin to tell you. It reminds me of my grandmother as she sang it a lot as the Methodists sang it a lot. Loved this SO much. Thanks...
XO,
Sheila :-)
Posted by: Sheila | July 12, 2009 at 02:29 PM
We used to sing this song in church a lot years ago. It is always nice to know the background of the writing. Thank you for sharing this with us and for bringing back the old memories.
Charlotte
Posted by: Charlotte | July 12, 2009 at 05:05 PM
Hello Beverly; I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday. I love that song, thanks for the lovely background on it.
Hugs;
Alaura
ps; Some times the old ones are the best ones.
Posted by: Alauar Parrish | July 12, 2009 at 07:35 PM
I adore this hymn, Beverly. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | July 12, 2009 at 10:08 PM
This is such a pretty song!
Ginger
Posted by: Ginger | July 12, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Dear B...Thank you for sharing the song He Leadeth Me today. Not only are these young girls beautiful, they are gifted my the Lord...the Most High. It blessed me and wanted you to know it...
oxoxRebecca
Posted by: Rebecca | July 13, 2009 at 12:26 AM
Nice post and song.
Posted by: Regina | July 13, 2009 at 10:39 AM