The old hymns has meaning, and a story.
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms:
CHORUS:
LEANING, LEANING, SAFE AND SECURE FROM ALL ALARMS.
LEANING, LEANING, LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS.
VERSE 1:
What a fellowship, what a joy divine
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What a blessedness, what a peace of mine
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Verse 2:
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way
Leaning on the everlasting arms
O how bright the path grows from day to day
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Verse 3:
What have I to dread, what have I to fear
Leaning on the everlasting arms
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near
Leaning on the ever lasting arms.
Author:
Elisha A Hoffman
Anthony J ShowAlter
Deut: 31:27
The eternal God is they refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.
In looking back at this song, I would admit that it was probably one of the more "fun" songs to sing in my Assembly years. The tune was upbeat and catchy.
But, looking at it now, I can see why it didn't make it as a cherished classic. I know the message is to trust Jesus even when things are going bad, but it has been my experience that there are things that alarm us, there are things we should be concerned about and not every moment is joyful, happy sunshine.
Some of the phrases in the hymn are cliches. What exactly is "this pilgrim way"? Does our path really grow "brighter every day"? And what exactly is meant by the metaphore "leaning on his everlasting arms"? Does it mean to believe in God more than I already am? What exactly are we encouraging people to do in order to enter into this cheery bliss void of any and all conflict? And in what planet or spiritual state does this happen? Not in one that I've found.
To me, this hymn is the Christian's answer to the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" which is also a fun song to hum when you are in the mood for superficial fluff.