Worship

Cherishing Hymns in Corporate Worship

March’s hymn is “How Firm a Foundation .”

The Story behind the Hymn
We usually think of hymns as being songs we sing to God, but "How Firm a Foundation" might be called a hymn that God sings to us. Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that God sings over his people in order to quiet them and assure them of His love. That is exactly what this hymn is intended to be--words of assurance from God to us.

The first verse serves as an introduction and a call for Christians to trust the promise of God in His Word, and then each of the proceeding verses is a paraphrase of a particular verse or verses of Scripture:

Isaiah 41:10 -
Fear not, for I am with you;
   be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 43:2 -
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
   and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
   and the flame shall not consume you.

1 Peter 4:12 -
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

2 Corinthians 12:9a -
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Hebrews 13:5 -
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

The hymn's author is unknown. It first appeared in 1787 in a hymnal called A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors which was compiled by a London pastor named John Rippon. There is was simply attributed to "K" which many believe referred to John Keene, the music director of Rippon's church. (Sources: NetHymnal & Then Sings My Soul, by Robert J. Morgan)

How Firm a Foundation
How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He has said,
To you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed,
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen and 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.

When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be your supply;
The flame shall not hurt you; I only design
Your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.

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.

from Rippon's Selection of Hymns, 1787