Some friends and I were listening to a contemporary song last night. Had it been written down, most of the song would have been in quotes; the singer was quoting God and the promises he has made. I then casually said, “I would feel awkward singing this.” But then I realized that the technique of quoting God in song is far from unprecedented. I then followed the statement up with, “Actually, now that I think about it, ‘How Firm a Foundation‘ does the same thing.” Here is how the hymn reads:
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 the 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 repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”
God has made promises that are not only good to read, but good to hear. Quoting God in song should be a regular practice in our worship. Quoting God in song from memory is even better. Let us remind each other daily of God’s promises. You can start today by learning how to sing “How Firm a Foundation” in parts with some close friends.