Main message: Plea for God to guide and hold our hand throughout life's journey.

Bible references:

• V1. "weak" (Isaiah 40:29)

• V2. "my hope" (Romans 15:13)

• V3. "joy" (Psalm 16:11)

• V4. "heav'nly light" (James 1:17-18)

Keywords: hold, hand, Savior, afraid, closer, hope, joy, sunlight, glory, light

Interpretation notes:

• The opening notes for ‘Hold Thou my hand’ use chromatic movement in the melody. 

• The subphrase ‘so weak I am, and helpless’ reaches a high note C. 

• This phrase shape repeats in line 3, with the chromatic ‘Hold Thou my hand’ reaching a climax on E-flat.