We've Come This Far by Faith

Don't be discouraged when trouble's in your life

Author: Albert A. Goodson (1956)
Tune: [Don't be discouraged when trouble's in your life]
Published in 15 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI, Recording
Representative text cannot be shown for this hymn due to copyright.

Author: Albert A. Goodson

Albert A. Goodson (b. Los Angeles, CA, 1933) wrote both text and tune in 1956 for the Radio Choir of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois, where he served as minister of music. The hymn was published as a gospel anthem by Manna Music III, 1963. Goodson received his education at the University of California in Los Angeles and served Baptist churches in the Los Angeles area as well as the Fellowship Baptist Church in Chicago. As organist and pianist, he toured with Mahalia Jackson and has been a prominent figure in the development of African American gospel music. Bert Polman Go to person page >

Notes

Scripture References:
st. = 1 Sam. 7:12

In a manner similar to many of the Old Testament lament psalms, this text affirms God's saving power in the past; God's compassion and providential care for his people throughout history give us hope for the future. Thus the text becomes a marker or milestone on life's journey: "we've come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord" (1 Sam. 7:12, “Thus far has the Lord helped us”). With confidence in the Lord's help we can go forward and face "burdens . . . misery and strife."

Albert A. Goodson (b. Los Angeles, CA, 1933) wrote both text and tune in 1956 for the Radio Choir of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois, where he served as minister of music. The hymn was published as a gospel anthem by Manna Music III, 1963. Goodson received his education at the University of California in Los Ange1es and served Baptist churches in the Los Angeles area as well as the Fellowship Baptist Church in Chicago. As organist and pianist, he toured with Mahalia Jackson and has been a prominent figure in the development of African American gospel music.

Liturgical Use:
After corporate confession of faith or personal profession of faith; Old/New Year services; at the beginning of a new season of worship and ministry.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988

Tune

[Don't be discouraged when trouble's in your life]

Goodson’s gospel song was included in the African American hymnal Lift Every Voice and Sing (1981). The setting by Richard Smallwood (PHH 365) displays some of the chord structures, melodic decorations, and rhythmic figures that are common in the African American gospel style. The printed score of…

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Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 14 of 14)

African American Heritage Hymnal #412

Evangelical Lutheran Worship #633

Lead Me, Guide Me (2nd ed.) #548

Lift Every Voice and Sing II #208

Audio

Lift Up Your Hearts #341

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism #488

Text InfoTune InfoAudio

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #567

Songs of Zion #192

The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal #259

The New National Baptist Hymnal (21st Century Edition) #529

This Far By Faith #197

Total Praise #414

Yes, Lord! #395

Santo, Santo, Santo #58

Include 1 pre-1979 instance
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