He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

Representative Text

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)

He's got the whole world in his hands.

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.

Notes

Scripture References:
all st. = Ps. 47; 93-99

This anonymous spiritual rose out of the oral tradition of African Americans and has become one of the most widely known and loved spirituals, sung by young and old everywhere. Like other songs arising out of an oral tradition, it has many variations in both text and tune. Creating new stanzas would also be consistent with the tradition.

The text confesses the same them of the Lord’s cosmic rule that is proclaimed in the kingship psalms such as Psalm 47 and 93-99: “The Lord reigns!” The stanzas give examples of aspects of the “whole world”–nature, human creatures, and in fact, everything and everybody.

Liturgical Use:
Various occasions of worship: services that focus on creation, God’s rule and providence, family life (st. 3-5), and communion of the saints (st. 6); as a hymn of assurance.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune

WHOLE WORLD (Spiritual)

WHOLE WORLD is characterized by one recurring melodic and rhythmic motif. The tune is intended for unison singing and possibly some solo singing (for example, on st. 4-5), with light accompaniment on guitar or piano. Try singing some stanzas unaccompanied, clapping on beats two and four. --Psalter H…

Go to tune page >


Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 37 of 37)
Audio

Small Church Music #889

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #2336

Praise! Our Songs and Hymns #328

Sing 'N' Praise Hymnal Vol. 2 #87

Sing and Rejoice! #34

Text

Songs of Zion #85

Hymns and Psalms #25

Text

The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration #344

Text InfoTune InfoTextScoreAudioPage Scan

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #457

Church Family Worship #189

TextPage Scan

Sing Joyfully #43

TextScoreAudioPage Scan

With Heart and Voice #123

TextPage Scan

The Worshiping Church #518

TextAudio

Baptist Hymnal 1991 #346

Text

Lift Every Voice and Sing II #217

TextPage Scan

Songs for Life #198

The Covenant Hymnal #682

Text

The Celebration Hymnal #586

Hymns of Truth & Light #97

Complete Mission Praise #225

Text

Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New #819

Text

African American Heritage Hymnal #150

찬송과 예배 = Chansong gwa yebae = Come, Let Us Worship #70

Text

Worship and Rejoice #80

Text

The Irish Presbyterian Hymbook #118

TextPage Scan

Sing With Me #26

The Book of Hymns (A fresh anthology of favourite hymns) #9

The Christian Life Hymnal #409

Text

Hymns for a Pilgrim People #51

Anglican Hymns Old and New (Rev. and Enl.) #306

Singing the Faith #536

Text

Total Praise #143

Text

Lead Me, Guide Me (2nd ed.) #411

Text

Ancient and Modern #656

TextAudio

Lift Up Your Hearts #26

TextPage Scan

Hymns of Promise #26

Christian Science Hymnal #492

Include 23 pre-1979 instances
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us