1
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
2
“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.”
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.”
3
“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.”
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.”
4
“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”
5
“E’en down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And then, when grey hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.”
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And then, when grey hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.”
6
“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake!”
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake!”
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Helensburgh, United Kingdom
We had a Godly pastor when I was growing up in South Africa but all I can recall of his long ministry is his repeated quotation of the last verse of this hymn. He would say: 'never, no never, no never forsake'. Five negatives! That verse embedded itself in my brain and time and again I would draw comfort from each line which has proved so true. I'm nearly 80 now and can say with increasing confidence that in His Word, God has indeed laid a firm foundation for our walk of faithfulness in His ever more majestic company.
Lexington, SC, United States
Often referred to as "The Great Hymn of Virginia", it is the traditional hymn for my family thru the generations. (Yes, we are nati e Virginians. )
There is not situation or condition for which it's words do not heal.
Sarasota, Florida, United States
This hymn is definitely a long time favourite of mine. The only tune I ever sing it to, is Adeste Fideles, or O come all ye faithful....!
This tune with the words, are so inseparable, that any tune other than Adeste Fideles, is not worthy of the words, "How firm Foundation, ye saints of the Lord".
Clanton, Alabama, United States
This song has been a great comfort to me in many times of severe trials especially when my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The truth of its lyrics witnesses to my soul!
Moneta, VA, United States
This song has been a fortress to me thru deep waters and sorrows ----I have proven the truth of these words over and over again!
He is My Firm Foundation and I love Him!!
Georgetown, 7 Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
I am my Lord’s testimony to this hymn. My life has indeed been a series of fiery trials through which most all my dross has been consumed. I have been given a second chance at a life of greater scope. I now have love, laughter and the purpose I used to dream of.
Thanks be to God,
An eternally grateful AMEN
Wonderful!
Dunkirk, Ohio, United States
I do not know of a more powerful verse in all the hymns that I love & hold dear than the last verse of this great hymn.
"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake!"
Storrs, Connecticut, United States
This classic tune called, “Portuguese Hymn, ” also known as the old church song “Adeste Fideles” has been identified with this hymn titled, “How Firm a Foundation. ”
One thought of when the tune originated is about 1780. At one time it was credited to John Reading (1677-1764) but it is no longer thought to be correct. In several hymnals, it has been ascribed to Marco Portogallo (Mark the Portuguese), a musician born in Lisbon, 1763, who became a composer of operas in Italy, but was made Chapel-Master to the Portuguese King. In 1807, when Napoleon invaded the Italian peninsula and dethroned the royal house of Braganza, Old King John VI fled to Brazil and took Marco with him where he lived until 1815, but returned and died in Italy, in 1830. The story is said to be true other than the fact that his name was Simao, instead of Marco.
On the whole, “Adeste Fideles, ” the “Portuguese Hymn’s” origin is uncertain. It was probably heard for the first time in the Portuguese Chapel, London, and given the name which is still used today. If proofs of its Portuguese origin exist, they may yet be found. “How firm a Foundation“ was the favorite of Deborah Jackson, President Andrew Jackson’s wife, and on his deathbed he asked for it to be sung. It was the favorite of General Robert E. Lee, and was played at his funeral. The American love for this hymn was never more poignantly illustrated that when on Christmas Eve, 1898, a whole corps of the United States Army, Northern and Southern, encamped on the Quemados Hill , near Havana, Cuba, sang the tune and words:
“Fear not, I am with Thee, O be not dismayed. ”
Lieut. Col. Curtis Guild, later Governor Guild of Massachusetts told the story in the Sunday School Times for December 7, 1901.
(Brown and Butterworth)
Felixstowe, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Amazing grace that our God brings us through the storms of life. He will “never, no never, no never forsake. ” This hymn blesses my soul.