A stirring anthem with bold, four-hand accompaniment, this setting opens with a verse in unison, followed by verses in two and four parts. The final verse brings the piece to a strong finish. The part writing is uncomplicated, making this an accessible piece for medium to larger ensembles to sing effectively.
Available in the following versions:
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for SATB Choir and Piano Four Hands
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for SATB Choir and Piano
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for TTBB Men's Voices and Piano Four Hands
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for TTBB Men's Voices and Organ Four Hands
TEXT
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,
Who unto the Savior, who unto the Savior,
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
In ev’ry condition—in sickness, in health,
In poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth,
At home or abroad, on the land or the sea—
As thy days may demand, as thy days may demand,
As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.
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,
Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!