How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord

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!

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!!

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!

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!"

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)

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.

The greyer our hair gets, the greater our God becomes, in His unchangeable faithfulness and power. His being is eternal encouragement to all those who have given their hearts to Him:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:1-3)

@ John Purdie— the 5th stanza is related to Isaiah 46:4— “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. To whom will you compare me or count me equal? ”

I wanted to know why for the hymn "How firm a foundation the saints of the Lord" the piano plays a different tune? It plays, "O come All ye faithful"