This tune has been around for a while now, gaining popularity as a modern hymn. I first heard it at a conference a few years ago, singing in a crowd of several thousand voices, and was struck by the sense of peacefulness it brought. Strong themes of God’s sovereignty and great love seemed to envelop the room and rest over each one present, their confidence growing as together they were reminded of the character of this God they worshiped.
One of the first times I fully felt the weight of God’s love for me was when a close friend challenged me in the midst of a season of great self-doubt by saying, “Jesus paid the highest cost to hold your heart – don’t you think you can trust him with it?”
What a great way to sum up the Christian walk! Am I willing to trust Christ to lead my life? My emotions, my fears, my choices? If his love for me is so great that he was willing to take on the wrath of God and be murdered instead of me (Isaiah 53:4-5), is he not worth trusting? If he is one with God the Father (John 17:21), the creator of everything seen and unseen (Gen 1) who knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13), does he not hold my life in his hands for the purpose of his glory?
I don’t think it’s accidental that the songwriter chose to put the lyric He will hold me fast practically every other line. How greatly we need to be reminded of this truth!
When my faith is weak and I’m consumed with self-doubt, he will hold me fast.
When I’m overcome with worry about current events, he will hold me fast.
When temptation seems like it’s going to win again, he will hold me fast.
When the cloud of depression hangs heavy in the air, he will hold me fast.
When my family seems to be falling apart, he will hold me fast.
When I one day leave this life behind, he will hold me fast.
As we prepare to worship together with this song on Sunday, I encourage you to meditate on the lyrics and corresponding Scripture passages and to listen to the recording. May you be strengthened and encouraged as you are reminded of the faithfulness and love of our sovereign God. I look forward to worshiping together this Sunday!
Emma Prong
Verse 1
When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold
Through life's fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fast
Chorus
He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast
Verse 2
Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He'll not let my soul be lost
His Promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast
Verse 3
For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight
When He comes at last
CCLI Song # 7016161
Ada Ruth Habershon | Matthew Merker
© 2013 Getty Music Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
Matthew Merker Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 702888
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-7 (CSB)
The Lord delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Psalm 147:11 (NIV)
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:7-10 (NIV)
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Jude 24-25 (NIV)