Psalm 23
"He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
What'er I do, where'er I be,
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
"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!”
The above hymn has been a joy and comfort to souls in the Christian pathway. It was written without any thought that believers all over the world would find in it, as they have, a guide and stay in times of trial and difficulty.
Joseph A. Gilmore, author of the beautiful verses, was a young preacher of Philadelphia, Pa. One Wednesday evening at prayer-meeting he felt led to read and express a few thoughts on Psa. 23. Part of the third verse especially impressed him, and he dwelt on it at some length: "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." The thought of being led of God seemed infinitely precious.
At the close of the meeting he went to the home where he and his wife were staying, and there came to him the words of the hymn. Completing his poem, he handed it to his wife and forgot all about it. But not so his wife! Mrs. Gilmore thought so much of the words that she sent them to a Christian paper in which they were printed.
Three years later Mr. Gilmore was in Rochester, N. Y., to preach. He took up a hymn-book to select some hymns. The book opened to "He Leadeth Me." For the first time he discovered that his words had been set to music and published in a hymn-book.