Friday, March 8, 2019

How Firm a Foundation

In every season of life, God is our refuge. 
A few months ago this hymn came to mind and I googled the lyrics. I began looking up Scripture references for each stanza and found no fewer than a dozen Scriptures that I believe the writer must have used to compose the hymn. 

I read an article recently that says music isn't forgotten in Alzheimer's disease.  It occurred to me that if I memorize the lyrics of this hymn, then maybe, time and age won't rob me of the Scriptural comfort it contains!  This is the same premise behind the devotional I wrote for my mom, which includes the lyrics to familiar hymns with each devotion.  Mom still can recall the word to many hymns even now, 15 years into her Alzheimer's journey. 

Throughout Lent I'll be posting stanzas to this beautiful hymn with accompanying Scripture references. 
~~~
Scripture for Stanza 1 of How Firm a Foundation  
(See the lyrics to stanza 1 in the meme at the beginning of this post)

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Psalm 89:14
So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. 
Isaiah 28:16

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. 
Isaiah 33:6

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised...
Hebrews 11:32-33

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
    let me never be put to shame;
    deliver me in your righteousness. 
Psalm 31:1  


A lovely recording of the hymn:  

  


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4 comments:

  1. BarefootLilyLadyMarch 9, 2019 at 9:42 AM

    What a good devotional practice in discovering the theology behind the hymns we sing. LOVE this!

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    Replies
    1. Linda BornMarch 9, 2019 at 10:06 AM

      Thank you, Cindie! The old, familiar hymns have certainly been a blessing to my mother as she navigates the challenges of Alzheimer's.

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  2. Barbara HarperMarch 11, 2019 at 2:03 PM

    I was listening to an arrangement of this hymn on my phone recently, and this particular arrangement repeated the phrase "What more can He say" in-between the verses. That was such a poignant reminder of all the truth He has given us in His Word. I don't think I realized til then, either, just how much the verses of this song were based on Scripture.

    When my m-i-l could no longer speak, she could sometimes still mouth the words to hymns. Such a blessing.

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    Replies
    1. Linda BornMarch 11, 2019 at 2:59 PM

      Thank you, Barbara, for sharing this blessing. <3

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