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,
I will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee,
help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my gracious, 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 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 o his foes;
That soul, though all hell
should endeavor to shake,
I'll never -- no, never --
no, never forsake!"