Hymn Story on "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" by William Petersen

Music teacher A. J. Showalter of Hartsville, Alabama, finished his classes for the day and returned to his rooming house. There he found letters from two former students. Amazingly they each told a similar story. Both former students had lost their wives, and both wives had died the same day. Showalter began writing letters of sympathy and condolence to the men. 

As he began writing, a Scripture verse from Deuteronomy came to his mind, giving the assurance of God’s “everlasting arms” supporting us.  

Then he wrote a third letter, this one to a hymnwriter in Pennsylvania, Elisha Hoffman. He even suggested the wording of the chorus. When Hoffman responded quickly with three stanzas, Showalter composed the music.  

The theme is simply this: With God’s arms beneath us and his love surrounding us, we can find strength in even the most sorrowful situations.

Scriptures: Deuteronomy 33:26-27; Psalm 57:1; Psalm 91:2, 1 John 1:7

Themes: Trust, Comfort, Security

 Lyrics of the Hymn:

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.  

Chorus:

Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms. 

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.  

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 everlasting arms.

ELISHA ALBRIGHT HOFFMAN (1839–1929) 

Reference for the Hymn Story:

Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (p. 105). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.