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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Storrs, Connecticut, United States
A bookseller, George Keith, who flourished in business in London about the same time as James Hutton, is credited with the authorship of this hymn.
This hymn which originally consisted of seven stanzas, first appeared in a collection published by Dr. Rippon in 1787, under the title of “Exceeding great and precious promises, ” and bearing the single initial “K” as the author’s signature. Subsequent editions gave no clue to the authorship, and for some years the verses were ascribed to an unknown person by the name of Keen. The origin of the hymn has been the subject inquiry but now most hymnologists assign “How firm a foundation” to George Keith. He was the son-in-law of Dr. John Gill, a popular preacher in his day. George led the singing in Gill’s congregation for many years.
An interesting story relating to this hymn which was taken from the “Western Sketch Book,” describes a visit to the American soldier and statesman, General Andrew Jackson, “The old hero was very frail and had the appearance of extreme old age; but he was reposing with calmness and confidence on the promise and covenant of God.” During the conversation, Jackson turned to his friend and said: “There is a beautiful hymn on the subject of the exceeding great and precious promises of God to His people. It was the favorite hymn of my dear wife till the day of her death. It commences with the words: ‘How firm a foundation.’ I wish you would sing it now.” So the small company sang the entire hymn, the old soldier mechanically beat time as the song proceeded; then, on the last stanza, his voice rose up above the others with the reassuring words:
“He’ll never-no, never-no, never forsake!”
Cary, North Carolina, United States
When you hit the play button, it plays "O Come All Ye Faithful"
Baltimore, MD, United States
Wonderful hymn of comfort and encouragement. Just sang it out loud as I prepare to sleep.
Brookfield, MA, United States
the tune is O come all ye Faithful not How firm a foundation
Ballymoney, Co.Antrim, United Kingdom
Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
Skåne, Sweden
Thank you. I really appreciate this praise our Father in Heaven.
Bless GOD.
GOD Bless you.
South Gloucester, United Kingdom
This is everything I stand on and believe in in these uncertain times. HE is everything we need! The. Lord guod will never leave or forsake us. "Jehovah Shammah"
Love it
Brockport, NY, United States
My favorite hymn. It emphasizes the importance of knowing His word. The Bible is the foundation, the source of God's revelation about Himself, man, redemption and consummation of His plan. Also, kooning that I will walk through the fire, not alone.
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
This was talked about today in conference. How grateful am I to know the rock upon who I can create a firm foundation. To hold me steadfast in this shaky world.