LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS

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 1887

“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” has one of those classic hymn histories where friendship, Scripture, and everyday struggle all quietly come together.

Origins (1887)

  • Text: Elisha A. Hoffman

  • Music: Anthony J. Showalter

The hymn was written in 1887, during the height of the American gospel-song movement.

How the hymn came to be
Elis“What can I do but lean on the everlasting arms?” That phrase—drawn straight from Scripture—became the heart of the hymn.

Rather than offering advice or solutions, Hoffman framed faith as dependence: resting fully on God when human strength fails.

Musical collaboration
Hoffman sent the poem to Anthony J. Showalter (1858–1924), a gospel song composer and music teacher. Showalter wrote the melody, shaping it to be:

  • Warm and memorable

  • Easily sung by congregations

  • Rhythmic enough for revival meetings

The gentle swing of the tune helped the hymn spread quickly through churches, camp meetings, and gospel conventions.

Biblical foundation
The central phrase comes from:

  • Deuteronomy 33:27 – “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

Other biblical themes woven through the text include:

  • God as refuge and protector (Psalms)

  • Assurance and peace in Christ (John 14)

Use and legacy

  • Hugely popular in revival services and camp meetings

  • Frequently sung at funerals and times of comfort

  • Adopted across denominational lines—Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and more

The hymn’s enduring power lies in its simplicity. It doesn’t dramatize suffering or minimize it; it simply offers a posture—leaning—that anyone can take, regardless of strength or circumstance.

Cultural impact
Beyond church use, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” has appeared in:

  • Gospel recordings by major artists

  • American folk and popular music settings

  • In

It remains one of the most recognized gospel hymns in English-speaking Christianity.

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