The name “William
Williams” seems to have been an especially attractive tautonym through the
years. There was one who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Another, William Carlos Williams was one of my favorite poets of the last
century. But a third, the one that we will be talking about this morning,
was one of the great hymnists of the eighteenth century although not
particularly well known in this country.
William Williams was born in 1717 in Wales. He was preparing for the medical profession when, at twenty years old, he went to hear a preacher named Howell Harris. Harris was the leader of the great Welsh revival, and Williams attended thinking he would have a bit of fun at Harris’ expense. Instead, he was converted, and in 1740 was ordained a deacon in the Anglican Church. When his Bishop refused to ordain him because of his Methodist affinities in 1743, Williams became part of Harris’ movement.
It was a timely shift. Great crowds were being converted and they longed to sing of the joy they had found in Jesus, but there was a marked lack of great hymns in the Welsh language at the time. Harris turned to Williams. Williams, as it turned out, was a great preacher but he was an even better hymnist. In his work, Sweet Singers of Wales, Dr. Elvert Lewis wrote: “What Paul Gerhardt has been to Germany, what Isaac Watts has been to England, that and more Williams Williams has been to the little Principality of Wales. His hymns [more than 800 of them!] have both stirred and soothed a whole nation for more than a hundred years; they have helped to fashion a nation’s character and to deepen a nation’s piety.” Williams had found his calling.
Unfortunately, very few of Williams' hymns have been translated into English. Only one can be found in our Presbyterian Hymnal, but it is a great one: “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah.” Drawing from the record of Israel’s exodus, the message of the hymn is a timely one for us in the midst of this pandemic. It comes to us as a prayer. Consider the first stanza:
William Williams was born in 1717 in Wales. He was preparing for the medical profession when, at twenty years old, he went to hear a preacher named Howell Harris. Harris was the leader of the great Welsh revival, and Williams attended thinking he would have a bit of fun at Harris’ expense. Instead, he was converted, and in 1740 was ordained a deacon in the Anglican Church. When his Bishop refused to ordain him because of his Methodist affinities in 1743, Williams became part of Harris’ movement.
It was a timely shift. Great crowds were being converted and they longed to sing of the joy they had found in Jesus, but there was a marked lack of great hymns in the Welsh language at the time. Harris turned to Williams. Williams, as it turned out, was a great preacher but he was an even better hymnist. In his work, Sweet Singers of Wales, Dr. Elvert Lewis wrote: “What Paul Gerhardt has been to Germany, what Isaac Watts has been to England, that and more Williams Williams has been to the little Principality of Wales. His hymns [more than 800 of them!] have both stirred and soothed a whole nation for more than a hundred years; they have helped to fashion a nation’s character and to deepen a nation’s piety.” Williams had found his calling.
Unfortunately, very few of Williams' hymns have been translated into English. Only one can be found in our Presbyterian Hymnal, but it is a great one: “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah.” Drawing from the record of Israel’s exodus, the message of the hymn is a timely one for us in the midst of this pandemic. It comes to us as a prayer. Consider the first stanza:
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
Hold me with thy powerful hand:
Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more.
The Israelite's journey through the wilderness was long and wearing, but God was with them. God provided for them every step of the way from the manna each morning to the water that sprang from the rock at the touch of Moses’ staff. The promise of Scripture is that this same God is with us as we make our way through this barren season of quarantine and unemployment, or with us in whatever other challenge we might be facing. He will provide for us with every step, and ultimately deliver us – just as He delivered Israel – to the far side of this wilderness experience; to a land flowing with milk and honey. “Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land…”
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea…” (Psalm 46:1-2)
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