THE HOLDFAST.

I THREATNED to observe the strict decree
        Of my deare God with all my power and might :
        But I was told by one, it could not be ;
Yet I might trust in God to be my light.

Then will I trust, said I, in him alone.
        Nay, ev’n to trust in him, was also his :
        We must confesse, that nothing is our own.
Then I confesse that he my succour is :

But to have nought is ours, not to confesse
        That we have nought. I stood amaz’d at this,
        Much troubled, till I heard a friend expresse,
That all things were more ours by being his.
        What Adam had, and forfeited for all,
        Christ keepeth now, who cannot fail or fall.

—George Herbert

Comments

[Kim in On]

I love this poem.

My favourite line: What Adam had, and forfeited for all,Christ keepeth now, who cannot fail or fall.

[rosemary]

Herbert's words mean much to me today.

[Nahomi Dhinakar]

The last line reminds me of the joy on my father's face when he taught me this chorus when I was about three or four.
We have a Savior Who'se mighty to keep
Mighty to keep, mighty to keep
We have a Saviour Who'se mighty to keep
Mighty to keep evermore.