Music arranged by Melvin West, 1984  (1930-    ) 

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 and help thee, and cause thee to stand

upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand."

"When through 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 hath leaned for respose,

I will not, I will not depart to His foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I'll never, no never, no never forsake!"

     This hymn first appeared in John Rippon's A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, 1787, in seven stanzas, under the title "Exceeding Great and Precious Promises," taken from 2 Peter 1:4: "Whereby are given unto us exceeing great and precious promises." John Rippon (1751-1836) was pastor of a Baptist Church in London.