I’ve been thinking about this song a lot lately. Especially in the past few days. 


In some of our discussions here in our little Reddit corner, I saw that I’m not the only one treading the waters of depression and anxiety. While I’m not surprised by it, my heart still aches for anyone else dealing with this. 


Now I’m not really much of a lead singer or trained musician in any way, as I’m mainly more of a harmonies/background kinda gal on my church’s worship team lol but I felt God was nudging me to share this at the risk of extreme embarrassment and awkwardness. 🫣


When this verse popped into my mind last night, I figured it was from Him, and decided to do as he asked.  it’s this one from Ephesians 5:


“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬-‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬


He Will Hold Me Fast is a hymn that was written in 1906 by Ada Habershon. It was based on Psalm 139:


“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.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬


No one makes it through this life unscathed. But for the ones who love the Lord, we can be assured that He will either stop the storm we’re going through, or he will carry us through it. Unfortunately for our sensibilities, most of the time it’s through the storm we go.  He uses suffering and trials to build us up and strengthens us. We are silver and gold refined by fire. But he never ever leaves us in it alone. 



He Will Hold Me Fast is about this. We are not strong enough to keep treading water on our own. Without him, we tire out and drown. This is where I’ll share one last verse that has been a bit of a life raft for me.


“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭40‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬



There’s something really special about music. God gave songs to king David for praise and lament. He continues to give us songs through hymn writers and musicians even to this day. 



I believe there’s music in the creation of all things. C.S. Lewis beautifully illustrated this idea in the Chronicles of Narnia when Aslan sang Narnia into existence. Music is a language of creation and life. It comes from the heart of God himself and speaks to something ancient and familiar deep within all of us. It is an echo of a long lost home that we will someday return to. 



Until then, hold onto hope. 



And in times when you don’t have the strength to pray, sing. 