My dad's first cousin, a genealogist who grew up in northern Georgia and Tennessee, told me that our grandfather would go around that area and teach congregation hymns. She said that he knew Mr. Showalter the author of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. I have thought that is an interesting family story.😊
I'm only speaking from the vaguest of past life memories that might not even be real, but I think Leaning on the Everlasting Arms was meant for the pipe organs you would find in the more affluent houses of worship of its era. Still, it's a beautiful relic of the post war South filled with the spirit and resolve one would need to rebuild a troubled land.
I am 60 Years old and I have loved this hymn since I was a young child. I often reference it in good times and bad. All things change, except for God’s love for us; He gives us the everlasting arms.
Oh my Luke you just found this hymn? I guess again I am fortunate having sung it over 7 decades. I pray it will continue to grow on you. I more-so pray young ministers like you will revive classic hymns and inspire young musicians to bring forth songs of genuine content that glorify God. We need to be saved from the "not good enough to be real rock band" music that could be applied to almost anyone. The Almighty and our Savior are worth the extra work and praise. Blessings to you.
I love when a song leader tells each side of the congregtion to sing leaning leaning and the other half to sing oh how wonderful oh how marvelous at the same time.
This was one of my mother's favorite hymns. I often sing it when I'm full of joy or when I need joy. It works well in both circumstances. Such a powerful anointing in this song!
I grew up hearing this song in church as a small boy growing up in a small West Virginia town. Whenever trouble arises in my life of 62 years on this earth this song always gives me hope. The best version is the one from the 2010 film True Grit. Its so powerful if you havent heard this version look it up. You wont be disappointed.
Luke, I am delighted to see that you are learning some of the great hymns of the faith. There are such amazing songs and the thing that I can tell you is that from a child singing those hymns, you learn theology, sotaryology eschatology and just simply how to love and worship are great and glorious king. I love to see how learning these hymns is affecting you as a believer and I pray that they would be coming embedded in your house, mind, heart and soul because when things get really tough those old hymns that I grew up with are what comes to my mind. May God richly bless you in this ministry.
This is a song I grew up on & have often sung it to myself when I needed encouragement or assurance from the Lord. Here in Australia we sing the first verse slightly different; Oh what fellowship, Oh what joy divine -- Oh what blessedness, Oh what peace divine. It is more a statement & personalised I think as you remind yourself of these attributes of the Father. I have a feeling the other verse is slightly different as well as it didn't flow right when I sang it with you.
Interested to hear the story of this hymn. It came real to me when we thought my husband would die and was very ill in hospital. I knew the line was scripture but it was the hymn that brought it to mind. Every time I panicked, everything I got afraid the line would pop into my head and I'd fall back into the everlasting arms. And God always caught me. He was also generous in giving me my husband back. But I knew for certain at that time that whatever the out come God would hold me in His everlasting arms. God is good.
Luke you are doung a wonderful job, it's amazing how you are picking them up without any prior knowledge of them and they all happen to be my favourites .Thank you❤
I grew up with this song. I enjoy your dedication to the discovery of the history of the hymns. I love the hymns and grew up with both hymns and contemporary music. I have a few of the hymn history books you mention from time to time. My Mom knew I loved the hymns as she does and gave me the books as a gift. I enjoy them so much. Glad you enjoy the history of them too. Thanks for all you do.
I remember LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS as sung by JIMMY SWAGGART, on my late dads long play records. He allways played it on the old BLAAUPUNKT gramaphone player.
This is a beautiful song that I've heard a few times, but I could only ever remember the tune and the chorus as I often find it difficult to learn hymns and Christian songs in general due to being Dyslexic and needing things to be repeated in order to get something stuck in my head. This video has inspired me so much, however, that I'm determined to conquer this barrier in my life and try to learn this hymn off by heart. Thank you for blessing me today, and God bless your ministry.
This was my favourite hymn,, until... i just found your story/rendition of "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing"... 1st i recall hearing that, & it did the job... thank you for that... i may have a new favourite hymn...
