Hymn of the Week – How Firm a Foundation

Every week I post a hymn of the week. But how do I decide which hymns to choose? I use the same three criteria that I use in church, ie.
1. Does this hymn exalt the Lord Jesus Christ? So, is it about Jesus, or is it about me? If its main focus is the Christian, rather than Christ, I reject it. This hymn has a nice balance. It is about the Christian experience of life, but yet it reflects what Christ has done for the Christian, in saving and preserving the soul, rather than what the Christian must do.
2. Will this hymn edify the saints? In other words, will it teach us sound biblical doctrine and build us up in the faith?
3. Will it be singable by all? I reject hymns with complicated rhythms, or tunes that require too much musical ability. Praise should be accessible to everyone.

Here’s a hymn that passes all three tests. It’s The hymn, 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 that for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, He is with thee; O be not dismayed!
For He is thy God, and will still give thee aid;
He’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by His righteous, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters He’ll call thee to go,
the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
for He will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
His grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; He’ll only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
He will not, He cannot desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell shall endeavour to shake,
He’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.”