A friend calls them “Ear worms,” when a melody keeps returning.    A couple of weeks ago, one  kept running through my mind, with only three  remembered words fitting into the music.  Much as I tried to remember the rest of it, nothing else came to mind.  Which was when I turned to Google with my three words. 

I’ve learned that when certain melodies stick with me, I should check out the words to the actual song.  Often, I find a God message hidden for me there.  This time was no exception, with my  mystery melody leading me to,   “How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints of the Lord.”   I don’t recall ever choosing it for a worship service.   Nonetheless, the melody was firmly swirling in my mind. 

 Reading  the words, I immediately understood why I was led there.  

“Fear not, I am with thee; oh 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.”

“The rivers of sorrow shall not you overflow
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.”

Words I very much needed, in this season of grieving recent losses of my sister and a son-in-law.

The origin of the song is unknown, appearing in John Rippon’s 1787 book, “A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors,” without credit given to a writer.

I’ve included the full seven verses of the hymn below. Most hymnals skip verses two and six, although I like the concept  in verse six, of my gray hairs finding rest in the bosom of Jesus.

How Firm a Foundation

1) 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 has said, You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

2) In every condition, in sickness, in health,
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home, or abroad, on the land, on the sea,
“As your days may demand, shall your strength ever be.”

3) “Fear not, I am with you; O be not dismayed;
For I am your God, and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
Upheld by My righteous omnipotent hand.”

4) “When through the deep waters I call you to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not you overflow;
For I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
And sanctify to you your deepest distress.”

5) “When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
My grace all-sufficient shall be your supply;
The flame shall not hurt you; I only design
Your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.”

6) “Even down to old age, all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when graying hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in my bosom be born.”

7) “The soul that on Jesus has leaned 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.”