Lyrics
Verse 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?
Verse 2
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 gracious, omnipotent hand.
Verse 3
When through the deep waters I cause thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
Verse 4
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.
Verse 5
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.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
How Firm A Foundation is a hymn of assurance built on the promises of Scripture. The first stanza asks what more God could say than He has already said to those who have fled to Jesus for refuge, and the following stanzas give the answer as God speaking directly: do not fear, because He is present, will strengthen, help and uphold with His gracious hand.
The next stanzas promise that He will be with His people through waters of sorrow and fiery trials, that His grace will be sufficient, and that the flame is meant only to consume the dross and refine the gold. The final stanza says the soul that leans on Jesus will never be abandoned to its foes. The wording follows Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 43:2 and Hebrews 13:5, with 2 Corinthians 12:9 behind the line about sufficient grace. The steady rhythm and repeated promise of faithfulness give the hymn a strong, comforting tone.
Related Scripture
- Isaiah 41:10 God tells His people not to fear because He is with them and will strengthen and uphold them.
- Isaiah 43:2 God promises to be with His people through waters and fire.
- Hebrews 13:5 God promises never to leave or forsake.