I’ve been exploring some of the very modern worship songs as an old guy 😀. But now, I’ve decided to alternate between very modern hymns, old hymns, and in-between hymns, namely the worship songs from the 60s to the 90s that feature in hymnbooks such as Mission Praise. Today it’s the turn of the old hymns.
Today’s song is He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands from the 19th or early 20th century.
1 He’s got the whole world in his hands.
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
2 He’s got the wind and the rain in his hands.
(Sing three times)
3. He’s got the little tiny baby in his hands. . . .
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
.
4 He’s got you and me, brother, in his hands. . . .
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
5 He’s got you and me, sister, in his hands. . . .
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
6 He’s got everybody here in his hands. . . .
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
I remember the song being on an album of spiritual songs that we had at home around 1970. A few days ago, I was researching songs from November 1979. I was reminded of Magic (an Irish showband star) releasing a version of the song. It had been sung during the Pope’s visit to Galway a month earlier. I remember watching in on TV. To me, the people seemed to be singing it about the Pope rather than God 😀. But who knows? Maybe it depended on the individuals. It’s a simple song, but it’s a reminder than God is involved in the world. He didn’t just create it and leave it run itself, though that might be the impression that we get from science. I think of the following statement from Jesus:
Luke 12:6-7
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
I don’t remember singing the hymn in church much but it’s quite well known and loved in popular culture. Here are some other versions of it:
