Alan Jackson - Leaning On The Everlasting Arms Lyrics
Lyrics
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
Leaning, leaning
Safe and secure from all alarms
Leaning, leaning
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
Leaning, leaning
Safe and secure from all alarms
Leaning, leaning
Leaning on the everlasting arms
Video
Alan Jackson - Leaning On The Everlasting Arms (Live)
Meaning & Inspiration
Alan Jackson’s rendition of "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms (Live)," released on August 25, 2017, serves as a profound musical affirmation of faith, bringing renewed life to a timeless hymn. The hymn itself, penned by Elisha A. Hoffman and Anthony J. Showalter in the late 19th century, draws its powerful inspiration directly from Deuteronomy 33:27, which declares, "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." This scriptural bedrock beautifully captures the essence of divine protection and unwavering support, a message Alan Jackson delivers with authentic sincerity that bypasses mere performance to become a genuine testament.
The song opens by pondering "What a fellowship, what a joy divine," immediately inviting us into a deep communion. This fellowship is not a fleeting pleasure but a spiritual bond, echoing 1 Corinthians 1:9, which reminds us, "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." The joy experienced is truly divine, flowing from this intimate connection, and "leaning" signifies a complete reliance on God, a principle articulated in Proverbs 3:5: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." This initial posture of trust lays the groundwork for the profound peace that follows.
Further into the verses, the song marvels, "What a blessedness, what a peace is mine." This isn't a superficial calm but a profound, God-given tranquility. Jesus Himself promised such peace in John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." It is a peace that stems from being truly blessed by God's presence, reminiscent of the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24-26, where God's face shines upon us, granting grace and peace. This inner serenity persists even amidst life's storms, a testament to the steadfast nature of God’s care.
The repeated chorus, "Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms," powerfully reinforces the central theme of divine protection. To be "safe and secure" means to find ultimate refuge from life's anxieties, fears, and threats. Psalm 18:2 proclaims, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold," articulating this impenetrable security. The phrase "from all alarms" addresses every form of worry, directly aligning with Philippians 4:6-7, which encourages us to "not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." It's a call to cast every burden upon Him, trusting in His protective embrace.
The rhetorical questions "What have I to dread, what have I to fear?" serve to underscore the absolute freedom from terror found in God's embrace. When we are truly leaning on His everlasting arms, our perspective shifts, and the worries of the world diminish. Hebrews 13:6 echoes this sentiment: "So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'" Even in the darkest valleys, the presence of the Lord dispels all fear, as affirmed in Psalm 23:4: "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." This leads to the profound declaration, "I have blessed peace with my Lord so near," emphasizing that this peace is directly tied to the intimate proximity of God, who is always near to those who call upon Him in truth (Psalm 145:18). Alan Jackson’s rendition of this cherished hymn thus stands as a powerful, encouraging reminder that in a world full of uncertainty, our ultimate safety, peace, and joy are found by simply resting in the strong, unchanging embrace of God’s everlasting arms.