Hymns of Hope: How Firm a Foundation

Many of the hymns were born out of immense sorrow. In this series, we will examine these songs of old, discover the circumstances behind when they were written, and find comfort in the lyrics that so powerfully point us to the hope of Christ.

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It was a song I wasn’t familiar with. I don’t even know how my husband found it. I was numb, too numb to take in his suggestion. Yet, when he shared the lyrics with me, and I heard the actual song with the words, something stood out. Was it the right fit? Would these words provide comfort, meaning, and a steady reminder of truth in our darkness and pain? Were the lyrics haunting or helpful? Or both? We hesitated and put off the decision. However, a few days later we chose to use this song—How Firm a Foundation—as the closing hymn of the service for our baby who had died. 

It felt right that both sorrow and hope were expressed in this hymn, written in 1787 by an author simply referred to as “K.” According to Hymnary, an online comprehensive index of hymns, many believed this author to be Richard Keen, who attended a church in London where John Rippon was minister, as the hymn was first published in Rippon’s tune book, A Selection of Hymns. Whoever the author was, their reference of Scripture throughout the stanzas reminded me of truth. Even the cadence of the song felt reassuring to me, providing a steadiness in deep yet simple ways. Like an anchor. I needed that then. In fact, I still need it now.

But what else was it about this particular hymn that drew us in? How could words or a melody in and of themselves serve as such an anchor to me and my husband in our immense grief over the death of our baby, a treasured member of our family that was at one point safe and sound in my growing belly? 

“How Firm a Foundation” is “a hymn that for over two centuries has assured believers of the faithfulness of Christ and the certainty of hope.”¹ The words of this hymn remind us to trust in God’s Word, including the Word made flesh—Jesus. Therefore, “we are assured by the words we sing, the Word we are given, and the Word made flesh, of the steadfastness of God and His unfailing love.”² That is what this song represented to me: the steadfastness of God and a powerful reminder of His unfailing love. I needed those reminders when I felt anything but steadfast, when I felt like my whole world had been turned upside down, crushed, and shattered. Life had been stolen from within my very own body. I desperately needed reminders—words, Scripture, songs—of God’s unfailing love when I was faced with what felt like the biggest failure or “wrong” I had ever experienced. 

As we walked out with friends and family who gathered with us to remember and honor our baby’s brief life, I heard the lyrics and melody of “How Firm a Foundation” and took a deep breath. I wanted to stay and listen to each and every word of that song, to let them fill up my aching heart and soul, reminding me yet again of God’s faithfulness and unfailing love in the depths of my pain.

This hymn continues to serve as an anchor for me—one I needed then, and one I still need now. I don’t always want to hear it, some days it’s just too much to take in. Yet, even through my inability to always hear the words penned by “K”, I find comfort and steadiness in knowing still that these words remain and that they point to a God whose love never fails, even in the darkness. 

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 they 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.

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And then, when grey hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

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!

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Compare the lyrics of this hymn with the following Scripture references:

Stanza 1—1 Corinthians 3:11
Stanza 2—Isaiah 41:10
Stanzas 3-4—Isaiah 43:10
Stanza 6—Hebrews 13:5

¹https://hymnary.org/text/how_firm_a_foundation_ye_saints_of
²Ibid

 

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Lauren is a part-time working mama to Isaac and two babies in heaven as well as her boys Samuel and Nathanael at home in Colorado. She is a mental health therapist, recovering perfectionist, and truth be told, often feels overwhelmed as she tries again and again to reorient herself to live life as God intended. Lauren loves all things that bring out a deep belly laugh and tears to her eyes, really (good) hot coffee, Kansas sunsets, trail runs, and being with others who can share in both the joys and sorrows of life. 

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