Under His Wings

William Orcutt Cushing wrote “Under His Wings” in 1896. He was born in Massachusetts in 1823, a son of Jacob Cushing and Martha Orcutt. He married Hena Jane Proper in 1854. He died October 19, 1902. He and Hena are buried at the Jones Cemetery at Hector, Schuyler County, New York. He served as pastor at the Christian Church in Searsburg, New York, as well as other locations in New York (some sources say he was a Unitarian minister). He lost his voice and retired from pastoring after 27 years. He is author of about 300 hymns. Three scripture verses that influenced this hymn of gratefulness and assurance are:

• Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings. (Psalm 17:8) 
• I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. (Psalm 61:4)
• He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. (Psalm 91:4) 

Ira David Sankey, a music evangelist who worked with D. L. Moody, wrote the music, which combined with the hymn was published in Sacred Songs in 1896. It is said that it was once so popular the Bible school in Northfield, Massachusetts that students sang it every day in chapel. The tune is called Hingham, after Cushing’s place of birth.

1. Under his wings I am safely abiding;
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust him; I know he will keep me;
He has redeemed me, and I am his child.

Refrain:
Under his wings, under his wings,
Who from his love can sever?
Under his wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.

2. Under his wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to its rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blest.

 3. Under his wings, O what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;
Resting in Jesus I’m safe ever more.