Behind the Hymn: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms  was published in 1887.

Anthony Johnson Showalter

Elisha Hoffman

The lyrics were written by Anthony J. Showalter and Elisha Hoffman.  The music was also written by Showalter.

Showalter said that he received letters from two of his former pupils saying that their wives had died. When writing letters of consolation, Showalter was inspired by the phrase in the Book of Deuteronomy 33:27 “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms”.

Numerous artists have recorded the song over the years.