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Lyrics and Information

How Firm a Foundation

Words in a book by John Ribbon, 1787, Attributed to John Keene, Kirkham, or John Keith
Tune: PROTECTION, by Joseph Funk, 1832. Alternate tune: ADESTE FIDELES (O Come All Ye Faithful) by John F. Wade, 1751
Key signature: A flat major (4 flats)
Meter: 11.11.11.11.
Time signature: 4/4
Public Domain
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, You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?
2. “In every condition, in sickness, in health; In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth; At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea, As thy days demand, shall thy strength ever be.”
3. “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.”
4. “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.”
5. “When through fiery trials thy pathways 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.”
6. “Even down to old age all My people shall prove My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love; And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn, Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.”
7. “The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to its foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”