How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord

This hymn, a top favourite, for more than 85 years! has always been a great source of comfort and encouragement to me, and my family, All stanzasI have memorized, except #5, which I personally do not think is of the same calibre, or Scriptural content as the other five!

Each line, is a sermon in itself, but
stanzas #3 & #4 ..... especially stand out
in my memory, over many, many years!
I love this hymn!
Ian
When through the deep waters
I call thee to go
The rivers of woe
Shall not thee overflow
For I will be with thee
Thy troubles to bless
And sanctify to thee
Thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials
Thy pathways shall lie
My grace all sufficient
Shall be thy supply
The flame shall not hurt thee,
My only design
Thy dross to consume
And thy gold to refine.
Finally....
I'll never, no never, no never forsake!

This is the hymnal that begins every "Thru The Bible" broadcast by Dr. J. Vernon McGee.

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!
Praise Him!

This is one of the few songs that my 5 month will fall asleep to

The tune "O Come, All Ye Faithful" is the alternate tune to this hymn. That is the tune we learned when I was a child. : )

Try it! It's beautiful. In the back of your mind you can add the thought: O come, let us adore Him - Christ, the Lord. Isn't He worthy of all praise!

This hymn was and is a favorite. Just read my devotions in Jesus Calling and read Isaiah 40:10. I cannot read that verse without singing this hymn, especially verse 2. Now as I see their verse 5 I am smiling more. I am now older, 72. I never sang that verse in church we went straight to verse 6 as our last one. I can appreciate this verse five now and enjoy the promise of God and His word even more. So glad The Lord is with us always, and through all our good and bad days. Amen

Carol, you can also see the alternate tune with video being link here, under thr last stanza, press on that camera/video button, it will link you to youtube video of the hymn..

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!”

When you hit the play button, it plays "O Come All Ye Faithful"

Wonderful hymn of comfort and encouragement. Just sang it out loud as I prepare to sleep.