William Williams
The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58:11
Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer LBW 343
1 Guide me ever, great Redeemer, pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but you are mighty; hold me with your pow'rful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.
2 Open now the crystal fountain where the healing waters flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliv'rer, strong deliv'rer, shield me with your mighty arm,
shield me with your mighty arm.
3 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 and praises, songs and praises, I will raise forevermore,
I will raise forevermore.
Text: William Williams, 1717-1791; tr. William Williams and Peter Williams, 1722-1796, alt.
Wouldn’t we all like to know what’s coming next? When COVID ends, what will that end look like? The challenge of life, and of God, is that we are led one step at a time.
The Welsh hymn writer, William Williams, compared this journey of life to the Exodus – Israel following a pillar of fire and smoke, enduring hardship and uncertainty, to find a promised home on in Canaan. As a college student Williams heard a sermon and responded; setting out on a life journey as a pastor. For 43 years he became a preacher of renown and a lyric writer of many a well-known and well-loved hymns. He was quite a musician, it was said of him that he “sang the Welsh into faith!”
Wales is the coal mining region of England and during William’s time most Welsh lived short and difficult lives working in the coal mines. It was back breaking and spirit breaking work. So this hymn became a marching song for the average Welshman as he went to work in those mines as it spoke to them of a better day, of journey’s end, or a home to yearn for. “Guide me ever great redeemer - songs and praises I will raise forevermore!” Living such lives, singing this hymn was witness to a hope they might not see, but could carry them to the end of the way.
Prayer: In this time of uncertainty and fear, when death and anxiety seems all around us, guide us great redeemer; lead us through a barren time and if it be your will, bring us at last to a place of safety where we can sing with the faithful of old, songs and praises evermore! Amen.