It is God who holds the nations in the hollow of his hand
It is God who holds the nations in the hollow of his hand. Fred Pratt Green* (1903-2000).
This hymn, commissioned by the Dean and Chapter of Norwich Cathedral, became a hymn for the official order of service for the celebration of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, sung in churches throughout the UK and the Commonwealth. The original lines 1 and 2 of stanza 3 were:
When a thankful nation, looking back, unites to celebrate
Those who reign in our affection by their service to the state;
The author amended this to ‘has cause to celebrate’ and ‘who win our admiration’ after Harry Eskew*, the editor of The Hymn, pointed out the otherwise general suitability of this hymn for universal use. The...
If you have a valid subscription to Dictionary of Hymnology, please log inlog in to view this content. If you require a subscription, please click here.
MLA style (see MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing, 3rd Ed.)
. "It is God who holds the nations in the hollow of his hand."
The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology. Canterbury Press. Web. 17 May. 2025.<
http://www.hymnology.co.uk/i/it-is-god-who-holds-the-nations-in-the-hollow-of-his-hand>.
Chicago style (see The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th Ed.)
. "It is God who holds the nations in the hollow of his hand."
The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology. Canterbury Press, accessed May 17, 2025,
http://www.hymnology.co.uk/i/it-is-god-who-holds-the-nations-in-the-hollow-of-his-hand.