On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand

The Story Behind On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand

Debbie McDaniel wrote an amazing article about this hymn on Crosswalk.com, saying, "There are lots of opinions and voices are out there for sure. Sometimes we just need to turn it all off and listen to the One voice who matters most.

That's what Pastor Mote did. As a young boy, he grew up neglected, spending much of his time on the streets while his parents managed a pub in London. He said of his younger days, "So ignorant was I that I did not know there was a God."  But at age 18 he heard God's Word and it changed his heart - his life. He was baptized and went on to lead a long, successful career as a cabinet maker. He wrote this song on his walk to work one day. Strong, faith-filled words that came from the heart of one sold out soul living boldly for Christ. At age 55, Mr. Mote became pastor of a small Baptist church, and it's reported that he never missed a Sunday in the pulpit for the next 21 yrs. He left this world for his heavenly home at age 77, leaving his mark in this world through songs inspired by the heart of God."

According to Hymnary.org,

"My hope is built on nothing less" is sometimes in 4 stanzas, and others in 5, and usually without the refrain. The original in the author's Hymns of Praise, 1836, is No. 465, and entitled, "The immutable Basis of a Sinner's hope." Bishop Bickersteth calls it a "grand hymn of faith." It dates circa 1834 and is in extensive use.

Bible references:

Psalm 62:6 ~ "He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken."

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 ~ "For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ."