We stand firm in our faith - Hymn and Compositional notes

This is the official hymn of the 2018-2022 quadrennium of the Lutheran Church in Brazil (IELB). It was composed by Tom Pacheco, Rev. Paulo Brum and I, and it sings the Church's motto for that 4-year span, "We stand firm on our faith" Later, Pastor Brum and I wrote the English version of it.

Here are the lyrics, of the hymn, and also notes about the composition which underline and reinforce the message, as well as enhance the hymn listening and singing experience.

*Note: in the video, the lyrics are slightly different (1st English version) compared to the lyrics below, which are the final version of the Hymn.

 

WE STAND FIRM IN OUR FAITH 1. Jesus Christ, our Lord, called as Your flock, we delight in hearing Your Voice teaching to our hearts what Your Word imparts. Law and Gospel, unchanging Light. We stand firm in our faith in You, our Saviour, The Way! You’re the Bread, the Door, Brother, Vine and more; Shepherd in whom we are bless’d. 2. Father, move our hearts, move our hands and feet, to the service done in Your name, for right by our side there is need of help, hope and peace to run this life’s race; We stand firm in our faith! We love for we have been loved. As we serve we share, as we tend we care - as we live our life from above. 3. Holy Spirit, we have been baptized, grafted in Your kingdom of Love. Then with bread and wine, beyond reason’s line we have Jesus’ body and blood. We stand firm in our faith; fed by your means of Grace Joy and thankfulness, body and soul redeemed, Your Holiness we acclaim! 4. Triune God, we ask never cease your task, ground Your children in faithfulness. Grant your precious gifts, through which we all live in this fellowship ev’ry day. We stand firm in our faith! In Your Grace we delight! Lead our walk on Earth with our eyes in You as we yearn our Eternal Place

COMPOSITIONAL NOTES

The main theme of the hymn is “to stand firm.” This phrase appears once in each stanza, giving the song a sense of identity marked by steadfastness and a solid foundation throughout. This is also why it always appears in the same line of each stanza, emphasizing how constant and unwavering God’s love is in keeping us firm and steadfast in Him. The expression is placed at that specific point in each stanza because the third line expresses the high point of the melody.

Different verb tenses are used in each stanza. For example, the first stanza uses the present continuous (teaching); the second, the simple present (share, care); the third, the present perfect (have been); and the final stanza uses imperatives (grant, lead) indicating a request in prayer. These tenses indicate constancy, action, movement, and a willingness to learn, serve, and adore. They also reflect the dynamic nature of the Christian life—full of different moments, problems, joys, and challenges—in all of which Christ keeps us firm in His Word and Sacraments.

The three persons of the Trinity appear separately in the first three stanzas—God the Father, Jesus the Lord, and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. The fourth stanza mentions the Holy Trinity.

In the third line of each stanza, the phrase “We stand” highlights the plurality of the body of Christ—the Church, the children of God—singing, praying, and communicating the Gospel as a people who stand firm in their faith in Christ.

A final note on the rhyming structure of the original song: at first glance, the hymn may appear to lack conventional rhyme schemes. However, when viewed from a broader perspective, a unique pattern of rhyming “arcs” becomes apparent. The first line of the first stanza rhymes with the last line of the fourth stanza; the second line of the first stanza with the penultimate line of the fourth stanza, and so on, until the final line of the second stanza connects with the first line of the third stanza. This technique forms rhyming arcs that are only visible when taking in the full structure of the hymn.

This structure mirrors the Christian life: filled with ups and downs, moments of clarity through the Word, and of uncertainty, anguish, and pain due to sin. At times, life seems to make no sense. But standing firm in the Word of God and viewing our lives through the lens of faith, we begin to see the arcs of God’s love connecting all things with clarity and purpose—in Word and Sacrament. In this view, justification and sanctification—faith and works—come together in perfect harmony. God perfectly unites the “ends” of our lives, strengthens our faith, and gives meaning to the whole. By His grace, through faith, He draws the arcs that connect our lives to Him and to others, in faith and love