This month, we’ve had the opportunity to look a bit closer at the hymn, How Firm a Foundation. I don’t exactly remember when I heard this hymn for the first time, but I do recall being attracted to its simple musical style that truly evoked the 19th century American folk hymn tradition.
From its humble beginnings found in shape-note hymnals, this hymn went on to become one of the most beloved and enduring hymn that represents the precious promises of God succinctly found in His Word. Truly, it’s a perfect example of a take-home sermon, a hymn in which a congregant can accurately sing thru the verses of the Bible, much like how the preacher would outline his sermon in the pulpit.
Not only has this hymn endured in the pews of the church as a congregational song, but it has morphed into different styles and genres. Here are a few we picked from Spotify! We hope you enjoy as you can continue to explore this powerful hymn.
History of How Firm a Foundation
This hymn in enshrouded in mystery, in that both the text author and tune composer are unknown. We can only trace the text back to its first publication in 1787, in a hymnal called A Selection of Hymns from the best authors, intended as an appendix to Dr Watts’s Psalms and Hymns. Put together by John Rippon who is a Baptist pastor, this hymnal was an important contribution to hymnody, and became the most popular Baptist hymnbook in England and North America for many years.
How about you? Can you recommend any good versions of How Firm a Foundation? Let me know on the comment section below!
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