How Firm a Foundation

As part of my studies this week, I read through Then Sings My Soul,  by Robert J. Morgan. He writes about some of the Hymns that have been around for a long time, giving a little background about the author and the song itself. I found the song, How Firm a Foundation a very fitting reminder of how great God is and how we need to cling to Him and His promises as the foundation for our daily walk as well as dealing with the circumstances surrounding us.

No one knows who wrote it. Early editions of this song had 7 stanzas and it was first published under the title, “Exceedingly Great and Precious Promises.” The line usually reserved for the author’s name just had the letter “K” in it’s place. Many scholars attribute the composition to Robert Keene, a minister of Music back in the late 1700s. 

The stanzas in the current rendition of this Hymn were selected from precious promises in the Bible. As you read through them, or perhaps sing this song, spend some time meditating on these great truths.

Luke 6:47-49 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

“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, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?”

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

“Fear not; I am with Thee. O be not dismayed, for I am thy God, I will still give you aid. 

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore  most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, Shall be thy supply.

The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.”

Hebrews 13:5 For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

“The soul that on Jesus hath 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.”

Pastor Bryan