How Firm a Foundation performed by Chelsea Moon
How Firm a Foundation: The Story Behind the Song
John Rippon was pastor of Carter’s Lane Baptist Church in London for more than half a century. Rippon loved hymns, and his hymnal, A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, became a best-seller among Baptist churches in England and America.
You would think that a title touting “Best Authors” would be careful to acknowledge the author’s names. However, this hymn –– “How Firm a Foundation” –– had only the initial K where the author’s name should be. We think that the author was Robert Keene, the music director for Rippon’s congregation –– but we can’t be sure.
In most hymnals, quotation marks enclose all the words except verse 1. That is because most of the words are quoted from the Bible –– a line from here and another from there. The hymn relates a series of Godly assurances. “Fear not, I am with thee,” it says –– and then promises, “When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie, my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.”
This has been an exceedingly popular hymn. At Robert E. Lee’s request, it was sung at his funeral. It was also one of Theodore Roosevelt’s favorites, and was sung at his funeral. But it shouldn’t be reserved for funerals, because its assurance of God’s help meets our needs through every chapter of our lives.
How Firm a Foundation: Lyrics
How firm a foundation, O saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he has said
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
In ev’ry condition, in sickness, in health,
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth,
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea —
The Lord, the Almighty, your strength e’er shall be.
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“Fear not, I am with you. Oh, be not dismayed,
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
“When through the deep waters I call you to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow,
For I will be with you your troubles to bless
And sanctify to you your deepest distress.
“Throughout all their lifetime my people shall prove
My sov’reign, eternal, unchangeable love,
And then, when gray hair shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still on my shoulders be borne.”
Text, Tune, Setting: public domain.
About the Performer
In their 2nd volume of updated traditional Christian hymns, Chelsea Moon & the Franz Brothers deliver a myriad of bluegrass/folk arrangements, varying from raw, lively rock-outs, to intimate acoustic ballads. Learn more at www.chelseamoon.com/bio.
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