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On Eagle’s Wings Is 50. The Story Behind the Hymn.

On Eagle’s Wings Is 50. The Story Behind the Hymn.

Last updated on: June 17, 2026 at 8:49 pm by Rebecca Hamilton

On Eagle’s Wings Is 50. The Story Behind the Hymn. 2026-06-17T20:49:24-06:00 Rebecca Hamilton

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Wild Golden Eagle in flight. Source: Wikimedia Commons, award-winning photo taken by Giles Laurent.

And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,

Bear you on the breath of dawn,

Make you to shine like the sun,

And hold you in the palm of His hand.

On Eagles’ Wings by Fr Michael Joncas

“On Eagle’s Wings,” the beautiful hymn that reminds us of God’s consolation in troubled times, turns 50 this year.

The hymn, which is based on Psalm 91, has comforted and strengthened people all over the world. I’ve sung it many times, and every time I do, it touches something inside me. I’m guessing that you feel the same.

Fr Michael Joncas wrote “On Eagle’s Wings” to console a friend whose father had just died. “On Eagle’s Wings” was played for the first time at the funeral for his friend’s father.

Meanwhile, Father Joncas was a young man in his 20s, who was struggling with the question of whether or not he had a vocation to the priesthood. He ultimately decided that he did have a vocation and was ordained a priest.

Life went on.

Then, a small publishing company included “On Eagles’ Wings” in one of its hymnals. After that, another publishing company added it to a major Catholic hymnal that had wide distribution to Catholic parishes.

In 1995, “On Eagle’s Wings” was performed at the nationally televised memorial service after the Oklahoma City bombing. That led churches of many denominations to include it in their hymnals and services.

When Joe Biden won the presidency in 2020, he quoted “On Eagles’ Wings” in his victory speech. Father Joncas wrote Biden a letter, explaining why he wrote the hymn. Biden wrote back.

“I have carried your words in my heart for decades and sung them at more Masses than I can remember,” Biden told Fr Joncas. “When I meet families and communities who have experienced deep loss — from natural disasters, violence, and other circumstances out of their control — I often share your words with them as a blessing, with the hope that they will be comforted by them, as I have always been.”

Music has that kind of power. “On Eagles’ Wings” is one of those rare hymns that really does console and elevate us in the dark moments. The Oklahoma City bombing was a dark moment. Losing a child as Joe Biden did is so horrible. I don’t think anyone can survive it with their hearts intact without the consolation of God.

Life deals staggering blows to all of us. No one is exempt. “On Eagles’ Wings” is one of those gifts the Holy Spirit gives us through another person, reminding us that He is there, walking with us through the hard times. “On Eagles’ Wings” is based on Psalm 91, which is itself a song of consolation and trust, written and sung directly to God.

It’s interesting how these things happen. For a moment, a person is touched with inspiration that leads them to create something that provides an opening for the Holy Spirit to reach into other people when they need God the most. Then the life of the person who wrote the song, or created the art, goes on. They move past that inspired moment and back into the dailiness of human existence.

Michael Joncas learned that he did, indeed, have a vocation to the priesthood. He was ordained. Instead of becoming wealthy, he donated the royalties he received from “On Eagles’ Wings” to charitable causes.

He’s known grief and devastating physical illness. Now he lives with disability from Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological disorder that at first left him almost completely paralyzed, and that has taken away his ability to play the guitar, which was his instrument.

“On Eagles’ Wings,” like any art, is like a child. It has a life and destiny of its own, separate from the artist who created it. We age and die. But, sometimes, the songs we write or the art we create lives on, touching and consoling people we will only meet later, at the Lord’s table.

Psalm 91

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 This I declare about the Lord. He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.

6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.

8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,

10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.

15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.

16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

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