The spelling of "lead the altar" may seem confusing, as the word "lead" can be pronounced differently depending on its meaning. In this context, "lead" is pronounced as "lɛd", with a short "e" sound like in "bed". The word "altar" is spelled phonetically as "ɔːltə", with a long "o" sound and a schwa at the end. Together, the phrase is pronounced as "lɛd ði ɔːltər", meaning to guide or bring someone to the altar.