Standing on the Promises R. Kelso Carter, 1886
5 verses and a refrain, public domain, free to print and project.
The words
Verse 1. Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Saviour;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
Verse 2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Verse 3. Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.
Verse 4. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Verse 5. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Saviour as my All in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
Sing the refrain after every verse.
Words copied from Sacred Songs and Solos: Twelve Hundred Hymns (1921). They were published in 1886, so they are in the public domain in the United States, and your church may print them, show them and sing them without a license.
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The story behind Standing on the Promises
R. Kelso Carter wrote Standing on the Promises in 1886 while he taught at the Pennsylvania Military College in Chester. Discipleship Ministries calls the school the Pennsylvania Military Academy. Carter had been in its first graduating class in 1867 and taught chemistry, natural science, civil engineering and mathematics. He was also an outstanding athlete. The Methodist holiness camp meeting movement shaped him, and he was ordained in 1887. When his health failed, he studied medicine, worked as a physician and wrote novels. Carter wrote both the words and the tune, which is named PROMISES. The hymn first appeared in 1886 in Songs of Perfect Love, which John Sweney and Carter edited and John J. Hood published in Philadelphia. The original had five stanzas. Phil Kerr ties the hymn's martial style to Carter's military background. Kenneth Osbeck says evangelistic crusades have used the hymn widely for a century. Methodist hymnals left it out until the current United Methodist Hymnal, which added it because it appeared on a list of hymns that evangelical United Methodists sang widely. Carlton Young says the Bible source is unclear. Ephesians 6:14 and 2 Samuel 22:31 come up most often. Hymnary lists many passages, including 2 Corinthians 1:20 and 2 Peter 1:3-4.
R. Kelso Carter
1849 to 1928
Russell Kelso Carter was born in Baltimore in 1849 and was known as an outstanding athlete in his youth. He belonged to the first graduating class of the Pennsylvania Military Academy in 1867 and later taught chemistry, natural science, civil engineering and mathematics there. The Methodist holiness camp meeting movement shaped him, and he was ordained in 1887. Failing health led him to study medicine, and he worked as a physician, wrote novels and raised sheep. He helped A. B. Simpson compile Hymns of the Christian Life (1891). He wrote the words and tune of Standing on the Promises in 1886. Hymnary lists his death year as 1928 in some entries and 1926 in others.
R. Kelso Carter
1849 to 1928
Russell Kelso Carter was born in Baltimore in 1849 and was known as an outstanding athlete in his youth. He belonged to the first graduating class of the Pennsylvania Military Academy in 1867 and later taught chemistry, natural science, civil engineering and mathematics there. The Methodist holiness camp meeting movement shaped him, and he was ordained in 1887. Failing health led him to study medicine, and he worked as a physician, wrote novels and raised sheep. He helped A. B. Simpson compile Hymns of the Christian Life (1891). He wrote the words and tune of Standing on the Promises in 1886. Hymnary lists his death year as 1928 in some entries and 1926 in others.
- History of Hymns: Standing on the Promises (Discipleship Ministries) , read 2026-10-16
- Hymnary.org, text Standing on the Promises of Christ my King , read 2026-10-16
- Hymnary.org, tune PROMISES (Carter) , read 2026-10-16
Scripture in Standing on the Promises
The Bible passages behind the words, with the verse of the hymn that draws on each.
- Ephesians 6:14 In verse 14 of the hymn
- 2 Corinthians 1:20 In verse 20 of the hymn
- 2 Peter 1:3-4
- Joshua 21:45 In verse 45 of the hymn
Standing on the Promises videos
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Standing on the Promises Congregational Hymn Temple Baptist Church, Congregation
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Standing On the Promises | The Tabernacle Choir The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, Choir
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Standing On The Promises - A Cappella Hymn A Cappella Hymns, A cappella
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Standing on the Promises - piano instrumental hymn with lyrics Kaleb Brasee, Piano
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Alan Jackson - Standing On The Promises Of God (Live) Gaither Music TV, Modern arrangement
Videos play from YouTube, and nothing loads from YouTube until you press play. A video may sing different verses from the ones printed on this page.
Print and project
Chords and keys
Hymnals print it in B♭ or A♭.
Questions people ask
Who wrote Standing on the Promises?
R. Kelso Carter wrote the words and the tune PROMISES in 1886.
What is the meaning of standing on the promises of God?
The hymn takes the stance of a soldier who holds his ground on what God has said. Ephesians 6:14 and 2 Corinthians 1:20 are among the passages Hymnary and Discipleship Ministries connect to it.
Where was Standing on the Promises first published?
It first appeared in 1886 in Songs of Perfect Love, edited by John Sweney and Carter and published in Philadelphia by John J. Hood.
What key is Standing on the Promises in?
B-flat major is the most common key in Hymnary's listings. The 2008 Baptist Hymnal and several others print it in A-flat.
Is Standing on the Promises in the public domain?
Yes. The words and the tune were first published in 1886 and are public domain in the United States. Modern arrangements may be copyrighted.
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