Rock of Ages

by Andrew Rinaldi

Rock of Ages
Even when we may feel like we are all alone, remember that God is always by our side and will never abandon us. He is truly our light in the dark and our rock that we can stand upon always. What an amazing feeling to be loved by such a kind Father and to give praise to His name with the beautiful hymn 'Rock Of Ages.' Hearing the story behind the hymn made this classic song even more powerful. What a way to worship!

Rock of Ages Lyrics

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,
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor 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, Savior, or I die.

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

Songwriters Augustus M. Toplady Published by Public Domain

The Story Behind Rock of Ages

As the young minister traveled through the rugged country near England's Cheddar Gorge, the clouds burst and torrential sheets of rain pummeled the earth. The weary traveler was able to find shelter standing under a rocky overhang. There, protected from the buffeting wind and rain, Augustus Toplady conceived one of the most popular hymns ever written, "Rock of Ages, Cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee."

In March 1776 Toplady published the hymn as part of an article in The Gospel Magazine, which he edited. He wrote that just as England could never pay her national debt, so man could never by his own merits satisfy the justice of God. In the middle of the article, he burst into song, printing for the first time the hymn "Rock of Ages", which so ably describes Christ, the Rock of Ages, as the remedy for all our sin.

Augustus Toplady died of consumption at the age of 38. As he neared the end Toplady proclaimed, "My heart beats every day stronger and stronger for glory. Sickness is no affliction, pain no cause, death itself no dissolution...My prayers are now all converted into praise."

Used by permission from Christianity.com

Rock of Ages Bible Meaning

1 Samuel 2:2 - “There is none holy like the Lord; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.

2 Samuel 22:2 - He said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

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

Psalm 144:1 - Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;

Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Popular Hymn Lyrics with Story and Meaning
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