Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New ‎#292

292. How firm a foundation

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 Fear not, he is with thee, O be not dismayed;
for he is thy God, and will still give thee aid;
he'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by his righteous, omnipotent hand.

3 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 may demand shall thy strength ever be.

4 When through the deep waters he calls thee to go,
the rivers of grief shall not thee overflow;
for he will be with thee in trouble to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

5 When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
his grace, all-sufficient shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee, his only design
thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

6 The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
he will not, he cannot, desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
he never will leave, he will never forsake.

Text Information

• First Line: How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord
• Title: How firm a foundation
• Author: Richard Keen (c. 1787)
• Meter: 11 11 11 11
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2000
• Scripture:
  Isaiah 52:1-3
  ;
  Isaiah 52:7-10
• Topic: Grace and Providence; Suffering and Sorrow; Year A: Baptism of Christ; Year A: Proper 21; Years A, B, and C: Monday of Holy Week

Tune Information

• Name: MONTGOMERY
• Meter: 11 11 11 11
• Key: C Major
• Source: "Magdalen Hospital Hymns" (c. 1760)