How firm a foundation (Alternate Tune)

This classic hymn of the Faith is always a blessing to me whenever I hear it. Praise the Lord!

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! ”

AT this point, I am tremendously comforted by stanza 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 born."

Psalm 92:13  Planted in the house of Jehovah, / They will flourish in the courts of our God.

92:14  They will still bring forth fruit in old age; / They will be full of sap and green;

Praise the Lord!!!!!!!

Fear not, I am with thee!

Lord, thank You that You are with us all the time! Lord, You are with us in our spirit! O we just turn to You! We give our soul to You for refuge, rest, and repose! We just want to be those who prove Your sovereign, eternal, and unchangeable love!

“How Firm a Foundation” has been a favorite hymn and testimonial of many of God’s children throughout the years. The author of this text is still a mystery. It first appeared in 1787 in a hymnal called, “Selection of Hymns” published by Dr. John Rippon, pastor of the Carter’s Lane Baptist Church, London England for sixty- three years. The hymn appeared anonymously in his collection with the author indicated as “K. ” Later reprints had “Kn” and “Keen”. The author was believed to be

R. Keen, the music director of the church

Dr. Rippon pastored.

Rippon’s hymnal was immediately popular: eleven editions were printed in England before his death in 1836, and an American edition was also printed by the Baptist Churches in Philadelphia in 1820. This hymn has often been called the “unofficial hymn for the Baptist Churches. ” It became well-known throughout the Southern and Northern States during the Civil War.

The composer of this music is also unknown. It has been established that it is a folk tune from the South. It first appeared in 1837 in William Caldwell’s publication, “Union Harmony. ”

In the first stanza the sure foundation of the Christian faith is established as being the Word of God. Then a question is posed: what more can God do than provide His Word as a revelation of Himself to man? The following verses personalize the precious promises from His Word and are the content of stanzas 2-5:

Verse Two-Isaiah 41:10-“Fear not, for I am with thee, be not dismayed, for I am Thy God... ”

Verse Three-Isaiah 43:2-“When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with Thee.... ”

Verse Four- 2 Corinthians 12:9-“My grace is sufficient for thee; For my strength is made perfect in weakness... ”

Verse Five-Hebrews 13:6-“I will never leave thee or forsake thee.. ”

This hymn has also been a favorite of American presidents and leaders such as Theodore Roosevelt, Andrew Jackson who asked it that it be sung at his bedside, as well as Robert E. Lee, who also requested it for his funeral hymn “as an expression of his full trust in the ways of his Heavenly Father. ”

Gary, that's the very phrase that had me thrilling inside. To know He will never, never, no never forsake us. It's so comforting to know.

Praise Him! He will NEVER, no never, no never forsake. He meets every need, no matter how small. He delights in filling us with Himself and joining us to Himself in us! In this He meets every need. Oh, what a God have we!

The firmest foundation for the born again Christian is the Lord Jesus Himself, who is the chief cornerstone that the builders rejected (Psalm 118 verse 22, 1 Peter 2 verse 6, 7). For a person to become a Christian that person has to repent of their sin and believe that the Lord Jesus took away their sin on the cross at Calvary, and rose from the dead. (Mark 1 verse 5, Romans 1 verses 3 and 4).

Without the Lord Jesus as Saviour and Lord, the is no spiritual foundation at all, but only sinking sand (Matthew 7 verses 24 to 29).

I just figured out all the three stages of the believer's life in this hymn reference to our salvation—Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification

The writer presents clearly:

1. The assurance of our standing—on the only reliable/ dependable foundation.

2. The assurance of our progress in our walk as we go through life.

3. The assurance of us going right through to glory.

What blessed assurance "He is able to keep you [all believers] from falling and to present you [all believers] faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy"- Jude 24

Most hymnals simply list the author of this hymn as "K" because he wanted to remain anonymous. The hymn was 1st published in 1787 in a hymnbook put together by John Rippon, a Baptist minister in London. While the author remained a mystery for a while, most musicologists now agree that John Rippon's assistant, Robert Keene, was probably the author.

The title of the hymn was "Scripture Promises," and in that 1787 hymnbook these words from 2 Peter 1:4 were printed above the 1st stanza: "Great and precious promises." Each stanza of the hymn emphasizes a different promise in God's Word, with the great climax coming on the last verse, "The soul that on Jesus still leans for repose ... I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake.!" - Great Songs of Faith by Brown & Norton