Hold Thou My Hand

Hold Thou my hand; so weak I am, and helpless,
I dare not take one step without Thy aid;
Hold Thou my hand; for then, O loving Savior,
No dread of ill shall make my soul afraid.

Hold Thou my hand, and closer, closer draw me
To Thy dear self—my hope, my joy, my all;
Hold Thou my hand, lest haply I should wander,
And, missing Thee, my trembling feet should fall.

Hold Thou my hand; the way is dark before me
Without the sunlight of Thy face divine;
But when by faith I catch its radiant glory,
What heights of joy, what rapturous songs are mine!

Hold Thou my hand, that when I reach the margin
Of that lone river Thou didst cross for me,
A heavenly light may flash along its waters,
And every wave like crystal bright shall be.

Author: Fanny Crosby

Year: 1874

Commonly attributed to Fanny Crosby (Frances Jane Crosby, 1820-1915). The lyrics match her well-known gospel hymn style and were published in the 1870s. Some sources list the tune's composer (Hubert P. Main) or note slight variations in attribution, but the text is hers.