Some songs carry history so heavy that touching them at all feels risky. Precious Lord Take My Hand is one of those songs. Written in 1932 by Thomas A. Dorsey, it stands as one of the most sacred works in Gospel music. Stephani Ezatoff’s rendition, released on March 28, 2025, approaches that weight with humility, restraint, and deep respect, and that is exactly why it succeeds.
Stephani Ezatoff does not attempt to reinvent the hymn or modernize it for novelty’s sake. Instead, she listens to it. Her performance feels grounded in understanding where the song came from and why it was written. The grief, surrender, and faith that shaped Dorsey’s original composition remain fully intact here. What Ezatoff adds is subtle: a quiet Blues-inflected warmth that feels organic rather than imposed.
The recording itself reflects that philosophy. Tracked at Sound Shop Studio and Doghouse Studio in Nashville, the session was handled with clear reverence. The production never overshadows the message. Vintage textures like the Hammond B3 and Rhodes piano give the song a timeless foundation, while the ensemble of seasoned Gospel musicians brings both power and restraint. Nothing feels rushed. Nothing feels polished at the expense of emotion.
What struck me most is Ezatoff’s vocal delivery. She does not oversing this hymn, which would have been an easy trap to fall into. Instead, she lets the song breathe. Her voice carries strength, but it is strength rooted in surrender rather than control. You can hear the spiritual intention behind every phrase. It feels less like a performance and more like an act of praise.
There is a reason this song has been recorded by legends across generations. It speaks quietly and loudly at the same time. Ezatoff understands that duality. Her version whispers comfort and shouts faith without changing a word of the hymn’s core message. That balance is not accidental. It comes from lived belief, not technique alone.
Knowing Ezatoff’s broader journey adds depth to the release. As a Semi-Finalist for Best Female Vocalist in the Unsigned Only Music Awards and a recent winner of Best Song and Best Music Video at the Christian Online Film Festival, she has already proven her ability to connect faith with artistry. But this release feels different. It feels like a responsibility she willingly carries rather than a milestone she is chasing.
What makes this recording truly stand out is its intention. Ezatoff is not asking the song to serve her career. She is serving the song. In doing so, she helps keep a vital piece of Gospel history alive for new listeners while honoring those who came before.
Precious Lord Take My Hand does not need updating to remain relevant. Stephani Ezatoff understands that. Her version reminds us that some songs endure not because they change, but because they continue to tell the truth.
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