Vickie Winans, Safe in His Arms | Sunday Refresh

On the 19^th edition of Sunday Refresh, we’re uplifted by Vickie Winans performing the gospel standard, “Safe in His Arms.”

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elcome to Sunday Refresh , a column that seeks to highlight inspirational songs to uplift the spirit.  These tracks that appear on Sunday Refresh may or may not be faith-based or religious; the goal is for them to make you feel better – refreshed.  So, for the 19^th edition of Sunday Refresh, we highlight “Safe in His Arms” as performed by Vickie Winans.

“When the storms of life are raging / And the billows roll / So glad he shall hide me safe in his arms.” Amen! Sigh, Vickie Winans is a prime candidate to be featured on Head 2 Head considering her skill covering gospel standards old and new.  She does a masterful job performing “Safe in His Arms,” a beloved gospel song penned by Darius Brooks.  “Safe in His Arms” was popularized by Rev. Milton Brunson & The Thompson Community Singers and is considered his most popular song – his ‘ace in the hole’ if you will!   “Safe in His Arms” appears on Winans’ fantastic 1999 live album, Live in Detroit II, which I can remember my mother playing many times during my teen years.

As always, Winans gives her all on this radiant, inspirational ballad.  Her voice is magnificent – utterly sublime! She’s both expressive and poised on the verses, as she testifies to God’s mercy.  One of the highlights, lyrically, are the references to the 23^rd Psalm, a personal favorite:

“Because the Lord is my shepherd
I have everything I need
He lets me rest in the meadow’s grass
He leads me beside the quiet streams
He restored my failing health
... That’s why I’m safe
Safe in his arms.”

Of course, in the hands of Winans, as “Safe in His Arms” percolates, she grows more spirited.  We wouldn’t have it any other way. Her faith is undeniable, particularly as she lets loose on the ad-libs, backed by a glorious gospel choir.  She truly blesses the listener, regardless of where he or she ultimately lies in their walk.   There have been multiple awesome performances of “Safe in His Arms,” including performances by Avery*Sunshine, The St. John A.M.E. Cathedral of Grace, and Tiona Hall.

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Vickie Winans • Live in Detroit II • Light • 1999

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Vickie Winans, “Safe in His Arms”: Sunday Refresh No. 19 (2021) [: Brent Faulkner, Light, The Musical Hype, Zac Durant on Unsplash]

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