The hymn “How Firm a Foundation” has an interesting and somewhat mysterious history. It first appeared in 1787 in a hymnbook edited by John Rippon, titled A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors¹². The authorship of the hymn is uncertain, as it was originally attributed only to “K—,” which many believe refers to Robert Keene, the music leader at Rippon’s church¹².

The hymn has been cherished for its comforting and encouraging lyrics, which are deeply rooted in biblical promises. It was notably sung at the deathbed of President Andrew Jackson and at the funerals of Robert E. Lee and Theodore Roosevelt¹². An inspiring story from the Spanish-American War tells of soldiers from both the North and South singing it together on Christmas Eve in 1898, symbolizing unity and hope².