Rock of Ages

I originally studied Rock of Ages on my previous blog. This is one of the first songs that my lad actually learned fairly well. It is a perennial favourite at our annual extended family gatherings.  Along with singing this hymn since my childhood, I think it will forever hold a special place in my heart.  If you don’t know it, I hope you will learn it!  🙂 

Lyrics to Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from it’s guilt and power

Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgement throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee

History and Author

Toplady grew up without his father, a British Major named Richard Toplady who died shortly after he was born.  Over time his mom moved to Ireland.  In Ireland, Augustus M. Toplady became a believer.  A smart man, he became a reverend in the Church of England. 

At some point he became a Calvinist, in which he became well-versed.  He wasn’t a strong man and died in his 38th year. 

I learned this on Wikipedia: 

Traditionally, it is held that Toplady drew his inspiration from an incident in the gorge of Burrington Combe in the Mendip Hills in England. Toplady, a preacher in the nearby village of Blagdon, was travelling along the gorge when he was caught in a storm. Finding shelter in a gap in the gorge, he was struck by the title and scribbled down the initial lyrics

Ponderings

Rock of Ages, cleft for me… Let me hide myself in thee…

Cleft – the past tense of cleave.  Which is to split or sever.

This song calls for God to split himself in two in order to provide a hiding place.   Can you imagine that?  The assurance that Augustus M. Toplady had that God would be a place to shelter in. 

Ps 27:3 

For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.

Do you see God as your place of shelter?

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Psalm 18:6

In my distress I called upon the Lord,
And cried to my God for help;
He heard my voice out of His temple,
And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

Do you see your helplessness before God and your intense need for him? How when, in faith, we call out to him and he answers?  Do you see him in action?   Does this hymn help you remember God in action?

If you don’t know the Rock of Ages, message me, I’ll happily talk with you.  🙂