He Will Hold Me Fast

The Story Behind He Will Hold Me Fast

Ada Ruth Habershon was a poet and prolific hymn writer. In 1906, Habershon penned the words to “He Will Hold Me Fast.” Ada Habershon was born on January 8, 1861, in St. Marylebone, London, England. She died there on February 1, 1918. She was 57 years old.

Habershon was the youngest of four children. Her father, Samuel Osborne Habershon, was a noted physician. Ada and her siblings grew up in a devoutly Christian home. Samuel and his wife, Grace Habershon, were part of the Plymouth Brethren. However, the family regularly attended the Metropolitan Tabernacle, where the famous theologian Charles Spurgeon was pastor. The Habershon family became close friends with Spurgeon.

Ada Habershon was involved in a variety of ministries. She worked with a charitable organization called Gray’s Yard Ragged Church and Schools, which provided free education for poor children. Habershon helped impoverished sailing families through the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen. She also worked with London’s YWCA.

Ada was deeply influenced by several well-known ministers. In 1884, she met Dwight L. Moody and sang with Ira Sankey during one of Moody and Sankey’s evangelistic tours in London.

Inspiration for “He Will Hold Me Fast”

In the 1890s, Habershon began writing and teaching on a variety of biblical subjects. She traveled, teaching from both the Old and New Testaments. She tackled difficult topics such as the Tabernacle, Jesus’ parables, and prophecy. She authored several books, including ones on typology in the Bible.

Her Bible knowledge drew opportunities to teach at Northfield Seminary in Massachusetts, Moody Bible Institute, and Moody Church in Chicago.

When illness prevented her speaking, she focused on writing and publishing. Habershon began writing poetry and hymns in 1901. She was best known for her hymn “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”

Robert Harkness, a pianist for the evangelist R.A.Torrey, met a young convert concerned about holding on to his new faith. Harkness wrote a letter to Ada, asking if she would write the words to a hymn about that spiritual struggle. Inspired by Robert’s request, Habershon wrote the original lyrics in 1906 to “He Will Hold Me Fast.”

Ada sent the words to Robert Harkness, who then composed the music. The hymn was introduced in 1907 at the Moody Bible Conference in Northfield, Massachusetts. It gained and maintained popularity until the mid-20th century but then fell out of use.
 

The Hymn’s Revival

Most people struggle at times with the fear of letting go of their faith, losing salvation, or failing Christ. Seasons of doubt arise in everyone at some time. Habershon captured that feeling in her song.

I could never keep my hold,
He must hold me fast;
For my love is often cold,
He must hold me fast.

This message captures a simple truth. Our grip may be weak, but Christ’s is firm.

The lyrics turn doubt and apprehension into rooted biblical reality. Although our faith may falter and even fail, Jesus holds us. We are secure in His mercy and grace. This deep theological insight is both freeing and comforting.  

Matt Merker, worship pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C., introduced a modern arrangement of the hymn in 2013 because of his own season of doubt. A member of his congregation had given him a copy of the hymn which Merker laid aside. A sermon by John Piper from the book of Jude 24-25 encouraged Merker to take a second look.

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 24-25 ESV)

Finding the verses a lifeline, Merker pulled out the hymn, re-tuned the original version, and added another verse about Christ’s resurrection and return.

The modern version, also known under the title of the original text’s first line, “When I Fear My Faith Will Fail,” is familiar to many of us. Performed and popularized by Keith and Kristyn Getty, it is beloved in church worship services worldwide.

Bible Inspiration for the Lyrics

Ada Ruth Habershon was a Bible scholar, so the words of “He Will Hold Me Fast” are anchored in Scripture. God’s faithful character is woven throughout each declaration.

Many Bible passages confirm Christ holds us tightly. Here are a few:

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28 ESV)

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6 ESV)

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 ESV)

The Christian life is much the same today as it was 120 years ago when the hymn was first written. To a young man those many years ago, questioning if he had what it would take to hold on, the words spoke truth. To a contemporary worship pastor in a trying season of his walk with God, the outdated hymn brought hope. To those attending my dear friend’s memorial service, it held comfort.

Ada Habershon took the ready fear in our human hearts and inverted it into steadfast trust in a faithful God. Sung in congregations and around the world, the hymn lifts us from pain and sorrow and replaces them with joy and victory. The lyrics continue to declare truth above doubt. For we know, He will hold us fast.

Popular Hymn Lyrics with Story and Meaning

Day by Day and With Each Passing Moment
Jesus Loves Me
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Blessed Assurance
Nearer My God to Thee
Abide with Me
His Eye Is On the Sparrow
Be Thou My Vision
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty
Amazing Grace
And more!