Have you ever sung the hymn Standing on the Promises of Christ My King? If you have, you probably know how uplifting and inspiring it is. This hymn is one of the most popular and beloved hymns in the Christian faith. It was written by Russell Kelso Carter, a Methodist minister, teacher, and doctor, in 1886. Carter composed this hymn after he experienced a miraculous healing from a heart condition. He wanted to express his gratitude and trust in God’s promises.
But what are the promises of Christ that this hymn talks about? And why are they so important for us today? In this blog post, we will explore the main themes of this hymn and how it can encourage us in our walk with God.
Hope
The hymn Standing on the Promises of Christ My King is a hymn of hope. It reminds us that God has made many promises to us in the Bible, and that we can stand on those promises in every situation. Some of the promises that this hymn mentions are:
- The promise of salvation: “Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, by the living Word of God I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God” (verse 1). God has promised to save us from our sins and give us eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Romans 10:9).
- The promise of peace: “Standing on the promises I now can see perfect, present peace and rest” (verse 2). God has promised to give us peace that surpasses all understanding, even in the midst of trials and troubles (Philippians 4:7; John 14:27).
- The promise of guidance: “Standing on the promises I cannot fall, listening every moment to the Spirit’s call, resting in my Savior as my all in all, standing on the promises of God” (verse 4). God has promised to guide us by His Holy Spirit, who teaches us, convicts us, comforts us, and empowers us (John 16:13; Romans 8:14).
- The promise of victory: “Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord, overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, standing on the promises of God” (verse 5). God has promised to give us victory over sin, death, and the devil through Christ’s resurrection power (1 Corinthians 15:57; Romans 8:37).
These are just some of the many promises that God has given us in His Word. We can stand on these promises with confidence and hope, knowing that God is faithful and true (Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 10:23).
Strength
The hymn Standing on the Promises of Christ My King is also a hymn of strength. It reminds us that God is with us and that He will give us the strength we need to overcome any challenge. Some of the ways that this hymn expresses this are:
- The chorus: “Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior; standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God”. This chorus repeats four times in each verse, emphasizing the firmness and stability of our position in Christ. We are not wavering or doubting, but standing firmly on God’s Word.
- The imagery: The hymn uses various images to convey the strength and security that we have in Christ. For example, it compares God’s promises to a “foundation” (verse 3), a “cord” (verse 5), and a “shield and wall” (verse 6). These images suggest solidity, durability, protection, and defense.
- The tone: The hymn has a cheerful and upbeat tone that reflects the joy and confidence that we have in Christ. The words are positive and affirming, such as “I shall prevail”, “I now can see”, “I cannot fall”, and “overcoming daily”. The music is also lively and energetic, with a fast tempo and a major key.
These are some of the ways that this hymn inspires us to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power (Ephesians 6:10).
Standing on the Promises of Christ My King lyrics
The first verse of the hymn goes:
Standing on the promises of Christ my King
Through eternal ages let His praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
These words remind us that we can stand firm on the promises of Christ, regardless of the circumstances we face. The promises of God are unchanging and reliable, offering us comfort and strength.
The second verse continues:
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Here, we are encouraged to trust in the promises of God even when doubts and fears try to shake our faith. The living Word of God, which is the Bible, serves as a source of strength and victory.
The third verse of the hymn focuses on the hope we have in Christ:
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
This verse reminds us that when we stand on the promises of God, we have a firm foundation that cannot be shaken. We can trust in the leading of the Holy Spirit and find rest in Jesus, who is our everything.
The final verse of the hymn declares:
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
This verse emphasizes the eternal bond we have with Christ through His love. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome the challenges we face each day and stand firm on the promises of God.
Conclusion
The hymn Standing on the Promises of Christ My King has impacted many lives over the years. It has been sung by millions of Christians around the world as a testimony of their faith and trust in God. It has also been used as a source of comfort and courage in times of difficulty and distress.
How about you? How has this hymn impacted your life? What encouragement can you share with others from this hymn? Feel free to leave a comment below and share your thoughts and experiences. And remember, whatever you are facing today, you can always stand on the promises of Christ your King!
The hymn was written by Russell Kelso Carter, an American Methodist minister, in the late 19th century. Carter was inspired by the Bible verse 2 Corinthians 1:20, which says, ‘For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.’ This verse became the foundation for the powerful lyrics of the hymn.
