How Firm a Foundation “K.” in John Rippon’s Selection of Hymns, 1787

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 has said,
You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

Verse 2. 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 your days may demand, so your succor shall be.

Verse 3. Fear not: I am with you, O be not dismayed;
I, 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.

Verse 4. When through the deep waters I cause you to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not you o’erflow;
For I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
And sanctify to you your deepest distress.

Verse 5. 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.

Verse 6. E’en down to old age all my people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.

Verse 7. The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I cannot desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.