He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

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He's got the whole world in His hands

Tune: WHOLE WORLD (Spiritual)
Published in 62 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI, Recording

Piano/Organ
	All Nature Sings (Piano hymn settings th…

Choral
	He’s Got the Whole World

Instrumental
	Trumpet Solos for Worship

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.

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First Line:	He's got the whole world in His hands
Title:	He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Meter:	Irregular
Source:	Afro-American spiritual
Language:	English

Korean

찬송과 예배 = Chansong gwa yebae = Come, Let Us Worship: the Korean-English Presbyterian hymnal and service book #70

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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

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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…

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All tunes published with 'He's Got the Whole World in His Hands'^ top

Timeline

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Media

Scores
Audio

The Cyber Hymnal #2336

Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
XML score (XML)

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #457

Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF)
Full Score (XML)

With Heart and Voice: songs for all God's children #123

Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF)
Full Score (XML)

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Page Scans

View Page

Hymns of Promise: a large print songbook (2015), p.29

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Instances

Instances (1 - 38 of 38)

Piano/Organ All Nature Sings (Piano hymn settings that celebrate the Creator and the beauty of His creation) Spiritual Suite Fourteen (14) American Spirituals and Hymns More Piano/Organ...
Choral He’s Got the Whole World HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD/THIS IS MY FATHER'S WORLD More Choral...
Instrumental Trumpet Solos for Worship More Instrumental...
Handbells HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands More Handbells...
PowerPoint HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS (Celebration 586) HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS - Lead Line (Baptist Hymnal 1991 - 346) More PowerPoint...

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He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

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