Scripture Verse

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6

Introduction

portrait
William H. Burleigh
1812–1871

Words: Will­iam H. Bur­leigh, 1868.

Music: Lan­gran James Lan­gran, 1861. First pub­lished in a leaf­let, then in Psalms and Hymns Adapt­ed to the Ser­vic­es of the Church of Eng­land, by John Fos­ter, 1863 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Lan­gran (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Lead us, O Father, in the paths of peace:
Without Thy guiding hand we go astray,
And doubts appall, and sorrows still increase;
Lead us through Christ, the true and living Way.

Lead us, O Father, in the paths of truth:
Unhelped by Thee, in error’s name we grope,
While passion stains, and folly dims our youth,
And age comes on, uncheered by faith or hope.

Lead us, O Father, in the paths of right:
Blindly we stumble when we walk alone,
Involved in shadows of a darksome night;
Only with Thee we journey safely on.

Lead us, O Father, to Thy heavenly rest,
However rough and steep the path may be,
Through joy or sorrow, as Thou deemest best,
Until our lives are perfected in Thee.