Scripture Verse

The Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100:5

Introduction

Words: Ben­ja­min Bed­dome (1717–1795). Pub­lished in his post­hu­mous Hymns Adapt­ed to Pub­lic Wor­ship (Lon­don: Bur­ton & Briggs, 1818), num­ber 14.

Music: Me­tro­po­li­tan John T. Lay­ton, Sr., in The Af­ri­can Me­tho­dist Epis­co­pal Hymn and Tune Book (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­sylv­ania: Af­ri­can Me­tho­dist Epis­co­pal Book Con­cern, 1898) (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Lay­ton, or pic­ture of Bed­dome (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
John T. Layton, Sr. (1847–1916)

Lyrics

The truth of God shall still en­dure
And firm His pro­mise stand;
Believing souls may rest se­cure
In His al­migh­ty hand.

Should earth and hell their forc­es join,
He would con­temn their rage,
And render fruit­less their de­sign,
Against His he­ri­tage.

The rain­bow round about His throne
Proclaims His faith­ful­ness;
He will His pur­pos­es per­form,
His pro­mis­es of grace.

Mountains and hills shall melt away,
But He is still the same;
Let saints to Him their hom­age pay,
And mag­ni­fy His name.