This past week, I was reading in Deuteronomy 33, and at the very end of the chapter I came across 2 familiar words…“everlasting arms,” which I recognized from an old hymn that my grandmother used to play on the piano. I have sung it many times in my life, but I didn’t know until after some research that this is the only use of this two-word phrase in the entire Bible. This hymn was written by a man named Elisha Albright Hoffman who lived from 1839-1929. If you read the same verses I read from Deuteronomy 33:27-29, it might suffice to paint a pretty great picture of what Mr. Hoffman may have been studying that inspired the lyrics of this song. If you’re anything like me, given the current situation we find ourselves in here in America, these scriptures and the lyrics to this song are a very grand reminder of Who is in charge and Who we can trust. There has never been a better time to turn to Him and back to His ways, and to fully put our trust and faith in the God whose everlasting arms are always there to run to. If you’re grieving, or if you’re rejoicing, if you find yourself in confusion or in a time of great clarity…remember Whose arms created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. He is worthy of our faith and our trust.
27 “The eternal God is a dwelling place, And underneath are the everlasting arms; And He drove out the enemy from before you, And said, ‘Destroy!’ 28 “So Israel dwells in security, The fountain of Jacob secluded, In a land of grain and new wine; His heavens also drop down dew. 29 “Blessed are you, O Israel; Who is like you, a people saved by the Yehovah, Who is the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty! So your enemies will cringe before you, And you will tread upon their high places.”
Deuteronomy 33:27-29
It does our souls good to sing unto the LORD…here’s a link to a quick 2-3 minute version of this song if you want to know the tune!