Standing on the Promises

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 1886

🎵 “Standing on the Promises” – History of the Hymn

“Standing on the Promises” is a beloved evangelical hymn written in 1886 by Russell Kelso Carter.

✍️ The Author: Russell Kelso Carter

  • Born: 1849 in Baltimore

  • Died: 1928

  • Occupations: Teacher, professor, musician, and Methodist minister

Carter wrote both the lyrics and music for the hymn. According to accounts, he composed it during a time of serious illness. Inspired by his faith in God’s promises in Scripture—particularly 2 Corinthians 1:20—he wrote this hymn as a declaration of confidence in God’s faithfulness.

🎶 Musical Style

  • Unlike many hymns of its time, it has a strong, marching rhythm.

  • It is often described as one of the first hymns written in a more modern gospel song style rather than traditional European hymn meter.

  • The refrain (“Standing, standing…”) gives it a memorable and triumphant tone.

📖 Publication

The hymn first appeared in Carter’s 1886 collection, Songs of Perfect Love.

✝️ Theme & Theology

The hymn emphasizes:

  • Trust in God’s promises

  • Victory through Christ

  • Assurance of salvation

  • Spiritual steadfastness

Its central message is that believers can confidently rely on the promises found in Scripture.

🌎 Legacy

“Standing on the Promises” became widely popular in:

  • Methodist and Baptist churches

  • Revival meetings of the late 19th and early 20th centuries

  • Evangelical hymnals throughout the 20th century

Today, it remains a staple in many Protestant hymnbooks and is frequently sung in traditional church services.

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