The Legacy of a Famous Hymn

What’s the story behind the hymn, “How Firm a Foundation?”

“How Firm a Foundation” appeared in print in 1787 in preacher John Rippon’s book, A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors. A century later, on Christmas Eve of 1898, it was sung out of the souls of soldiers in their camps during the Spanish-American War.

It’s an anonymous anthem—people can’t say for sure who wrote it or how the story of “How Firm a Foundation” came about. However, many attribute it to Robert Keene, the song leader from John Rippon’s church.

This hymn declares a bold confidence in God’s Word, the Bible. Then, the voice changes and we hear God’s voice in the hymn echoing his promises from the Bible. This hymn is filled with quotations from Scripture. The hymn tells us that God has said all that needs to be said to get us through life and trials. Then, it lets us know just what God has said.

The poem is often accompanied by a folk tune called “Protection” by Joseph Fund, but it also can be sung with the tune of the Christmas hymn, “O Come, All Ye Faithful.“