160. Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah
William Williams, 1717-91
A superb hymn of guidance in which the analogies of the history of Israel in the wilderness appear in every stanza and almost in every line. It was written in Welsh in 1745 and translated into English in 1771 by Rev. Peter Williams, friend of the author and fellow-worker. Some think stanzas 2 and 3 were translated by the author himself or by his son, the Rev. John Williams.
The hymn in Welsh, with its unpronounceable words, is as follows:
Arglwydd, arwain trwy’r anialwch
Fi bererin gwael ei wedd,
Nad oes ynof nerth na bywyd,
Fel yn gorwedd yn y bedd:
Hollalluog
Ydyw’r un a’m cwyd i’r lan.
Agor y ffynnonau melus
Sydd yn tarddu o’r Graig i maes;
’Rhyd yr anial mawr canlyned
Afon iachawdwriaeth grâs:
Rho imi hyny;
Dim i mi ond dy fwynhau.
Ymddiriedaf yn dy allu,
Mawr yw’r gwaith a wnest erioed:
Ti gest angau, ti gest uffern,
Ti gest Satan dan dy droed:
Pen Calfaria,
Nac aed hwnw byth o’m cof.
William Williams was the chief hymn writer of Wales and one of her greatest poets. He at first was in training for the medical profession but after attending some revival services, decided to become a minister. On account of his evangelical views (and his interest in evangelistic work), he came in conflict with church dignitaries, resulting in his withdrawal from the Established Church, and throwing himself into evangelistic work. His preaching itineraries took him throughout Wales. He travelled an average of 3,000 miles per year for 50 years. He wrote many hymns, stirring the nation, influencing its character, and deepening its faith. Williams was to Wales what Paul Gerhardt was to Germany and Isaac Watts to England.
MUSIC. DISMISSAL was composed for the hymn “Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing” ([45]).
The composer, William Letton Viner, 1790-1867, was a student of Charles Wesley, Jr. He was organist at St. Michael’s Church, Bath, for 18 years and at St. Mary’s Penzance for 21 years. In 1859, he came to the United States. He composed organ and church music and songs, and edited several hymnals.