The title of the hymn, "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah" forms a prayer in our hearts.  The hymn writer, William Williams, lived in a different time, the 1700's.  For 43 years, he was a preacher by horseback, traveling close to 100,000 miles.  He was known as the "sweet singer of Wales," writing some 800 hymns.  This hymn was originally titled, "Strength to Pass Through the Wilderness."  Williams lived to be 74.

The hymn alludes to the experiences of the children of Israel in the wilderness, and Williams applied it to his own life.  The first verse says:

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah pilgrim thru this barren land;

I am weak, but Thou art mighty--Hold me with Thy pow'rful hand:

Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more.

The tune, as we know it, was written by John Hughes, also from Wales.  The tune was named "CWM RHONDDA" after the valley of the Rhondda River, a coal mining area in Wales.  It is a vigorous melody that accents the final lines of each verse:

Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,

Be Thou still my strength and shield.

Songs of praises, songs of praises

I will ever give to Thee.

Sometimes, one will see the title, "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer," or other changes.  Verse two and three say:

Open now the crystal fountain,

Whence the healing stream doth flow;

Let the fire and cloudy pillar

Lead me all my journey through.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,

Bid my anxious fears subside;

Bear me thru the swelling current;

Land me safe on Canaan's side.