The Story of the Hymn, "Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah."

William Williams, a traveling Methodist preacher in Wales ,wrote the well liked hymn, "Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah." Howell Harris, who preached the sermon  God used to call Williams to the ministry in 1738, put together a competition between the revivalists preachers to encourage the writing of Welsh hymns, as he realized that there weren't any. Williams was a gifted poet, and it wasn't long before he and his verses quickly became associated with the Welsh revival.  In 1745, he wrote the above mentioned song in Welsh. Twenty-six years later the hymn was translated into English, and with the translation two more stanzas appeared. One (musing on my habitation) is believed to have been added by Williams, the origin of the other, however, is unknown to me.

[Verse 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

[Verse 2]
Open now the crystal fountain
Where the living waters flow
Let the river of salvation
Follow all the desert through
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield

[Verse 3]
Lord, I trust Thy mighty power
Wondrous are Thy works of old
Thou deliver'st Thine from thraldom
Who for nought themselves had sold:
Thou didst conquer, Thou didst conquer
Sin, and Satan and the grave
Sin, and Satan and the grave

 Verse 4]
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

[Verse 5]
Musing on my habitation
Musing on my heav'nly home
Fills my soul with holy longings:
Come, my Jesus, quickly come
Vanity is all I see
Lord, I long to be with Thee!
Lord, I long to be with Thee!