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How Firm a Foundation (Adeste Fideles)
"K" in Rippon's Selection, 1787, alt.
J.F. Wade's Cantus Diversi, 1751

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?
To you who, for refuge, to Jesus have fled?

"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help[ thee and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress,

"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no, never, no never forsake,
I'll never, no, never, no never forsake."