The author of this hymn was pastor of Philadelphia's 1st Baptist Church during the Civil War. After one service, they were fellowshipping at deacon's house about the blessedness of God's leading. As others went on talking, Gilmore took out a pencil and wrote the words of this hymn, gave it to his wife, and forgot about it.
3 years later he was a pastoral candidate for a church in Rochester, NY. Since he was unfamiliar with the church's hymnal, he began leafing through it and spotted the hymn, "He Leadeth Me" - his own hymn! Without his knowledge, Mrs. Gilmore had sent the words to a Christian periodical, which had set them to music. - Great Songs of Faith by Brown and Norton.
A beautiful song indeed. A beautiful act to be lead by the Almighty's own hand. He has lead me in difficult circumstances and I praise Him with this song.
I truly love the hymn because I went through some bitter heartbreaks because I thought I was in the right way, but I realised that only the Lord leadeth me to all the good things in my life. The song comforteth me because He truly leadeth me.