How Firm a Foundation, arr. Dan Forrest | Choral Music

One of my favorite arrangements that we've sung over the last few months in my church choir is How Firm a Foundation by Dan Forrest. It's really quite magnificent, whether with a full orchestra or just piano accompaniment.

From the arranger's website: "How Firm A Foundation was first published in America with this tune in the 1830s, and was one of the most commonly sung hymns of the Civil War era. The text first asks, what stronger foundation can God give to His children who flee to Him for protection, than the precious promises of His Word? Stanza after stanza then affirms these promises of protection and comfort.
Robert E. Lee requested that this hymn be sung at his funeral. (It was a favorite of Andrew Jackson and Theodore Roosevelt, as well.) Perhaps the most moving American historical idea, however, is the thought of the countless soldiers, fighting on both sides of the Civil War, who would have known this popular hymn and clung to its promises on the battlefield. This setting is inspired by that thought, and therefore uses a musical style which evokes the 19th century American folk hymn tradition."

The question is asked at the beginning of each stanza: "What more can He say?" How precious are these promises, indeed, this sure foundation we have in Jesus Christ!

"So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf." Hebrews 6:17-20a.



For the love of music and the glory of God,
Rebekah