He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

we had one of our World Affairs Council events last night, and the speaker provided a presentation that was truly a tour de force. An audience of about 200 was mesmerized as the speaker displayed a combination of scholarship, humor, and wisdom that was rare, indeed. He truly held us in the palm of his hand -- but what could be the origin of that phrase that so aptly describes such an occurance?

Maybe from the gospel song "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands":

He's got you and me, brother, in His hands,
He's got you and me, sister, in His hands.
He's got the little tiny baby in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.

I rather doubt it. I suspect that it pre-dates that. I would guess it is possibly an illusion to having a baby bird (or other small, defenceless creature) eating from one's hand. In such a situation, the bird is placing its trust in the feeder, and is totally at his/her mercy.

DFG