Precious Lord, Take My Hand

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13 NIV)

“Precious Lord, Take My Hand” is a hymn written by Thomas A. Dorsey after a tragedy. Knowing the story behind the hymn helps bring new meaning and shares a powerful testimony:

“Out of a broken heart after his wife and newly born son had both died, Thomas A. Dorsey cried to his Lord to lead him ‘through the storm, through the night.’ In doing so, he created lines that have since ministered to others in an unusual way. This tender song, written by a black gospel musician in 1932, has since been a favorite with Christians everywhere.

Thomas A. Dorsey grew up in Georgia as a ‘preacher’s kid.’ As he began to be successful as a composer of jazz and blues songs, however, he drifted away from God. After it seemed to him that he was miraculously spared in brushes with death, Dorsey came back to the Lord. As his life dramatically changed he began to write gospel songs and to sing in church services. It was during a revival meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, that he received a telegram telling the tragic news of his wife and infant son. Stunned and grief-stricken, Dorsey cried, ‘God, you aren’t worth a dime to me right now!’

A few weeks later, however, as Dorsey fingered the keyboard of a piano, he created the lines of ‘Precious Lord’ to fit a tune that was familiar to him. The following Sunday the choir of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in South Chicago, Illinois, sang the new song with Dorsey playing the accompaniment. ‘It tore up the church!’ God continued to lead Thomas Dorsey by the hand until he had written more than two hundred fifty gospel songs. ¹

1. Osbeck, Kenneth W. Amazing Grace (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1990, 2002), pg. 251.

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand

I'm tired, I’m weak, I’m lone

Through the storm, through the night

Lead me on to the light

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near

When my life is almost gone

Hear my cry, hear my call

Hold my hand lest I fall

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears and the night draws near

And the day is past and gone

At the river I stand

Guide my feet, hold my hand

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand

I'm tired, I’m weak, Lord I’m worn

Through the storm, through the night

Lead me on to the light

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.

 

(words & music by Thomas A. Dorsey)