When it was
first printed, this hymn was simply called “Scripture Promises.” In a 1787
hymnal, the words of 2 Peter 1:4 were printed above the first stanza:
“Exceeding great and precious promises” (KJV). Each stanza of the hymn
emphasizes a different promise in God’s Word. The second stanza is based on
Isaiah 41:10; the third on Isaiah 43:2; the fourth on 2 Corinthians 12:9;
and the fifth on Hebrews 13:5, which concludes “I will never fail you. I will
never abandon you.”
The final
lines of this hymn are among the most memorable in the hymnal: “That soul,
though all hell should endeavor to shake, / I’ll never, no, never, no, never
forsake!” If it still isn’t clear, you can add a couple more “no nevers” to it.
Scriptures:
Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 43:2; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Heb. 13:5; 2 Peter 1:4
Themes:
Faith, Promises, Assurance, Trust
Lyrics of
the Hymn:
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 woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will
be with thee thy troubles to bless,
And
sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.”
“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.”
“The soul
that on Jesus still leans 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!”
“K” IN
RIPPON’S A SELECTION OF HYMNS, 1787
Reference
for Hymn Story:
Petersen,
William. The Complete Book of Hymns (p. 102). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle
Edition.
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