How Firm a Foundation

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?

“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 righteous, 

omnipotent hand.”

“When through the deep waters 

I call 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.”

“When through fiery trials 

thy pathway 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.”

“The soul that on Jesus 

hath leaned for repose,

I will not, I will not 

desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell 

should endeavor to shake,

I’ll never, no, never, 

no, never forsake!”

                         ~ John Rippon 1787