Main message: Jesus is the way to the heavenly kingdom.

Bible references:

• V1. "foundation" (Mt 7:24-25)

"trust in His might" (Col 1:11)

• V2. "Calvary" (Luke 23:33)

• V3. "home" (Hebrews 11:16)

“Death is no more" (Rev 21:4)

• V4. "tribulation" (Rev 7:14)

Keywords: world, allure, pleasures, pain, wisdom, vain, foundation, steadfast, sure, Jesus first, my life, say, do, toil, strife, day, night, trust in His might, died, salvation, Calv’ry, bled, redemption, give up, sin, home, ransomed, blest, death, no more, struggle, o’ver, love, best, tribulation, evil, grace, protect, forever

Interpretation notes:

• This hymn has dotted rhythmic patterns most of the time. 

• In measure 11, three continual quarter notes followed by a half note appear on the phrases ‘steadfast and sure,’ ‘give up all sin,’ ‘give Him their best,’ and ‘forever and aye.’ 

• A crescendo can be made in the fourth and eighth sections before the word ‘first’ to emphasize ‘Jesus first.’