Rock of Ages
Words by Augustus Montague Toplady, music by Dustin Kensrue and The Modern Post
This song was a part of our gathering on Sunday, and is a wonderful reminder that God is the rock and refuge who cleanses us from our sin. It is also a reminder that we are not saved by works, but by grace, and that in our helplessness we can turn to him and he will not turn us away, but welcome us with open arms.
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 labours of my hands
Can fulfil the law's commands
Should my passion never fade
And my efforts all be weighed
All for sin could not atone
You must save and you alone
Rock of Ages
No one takes your life
Yet you died that I might live
Costly grace you freely give
Rock of Ages
You have paid the price
You were cleft to cover me
Let my hide myself in thee
Nothing in my hand I bring
Simply to the cross I cling
Naked come to thee for dress
Helpless look to thee for grace
Wretched to the fount I fly
Wash me, Saviour, or I die
Rock of Ages
No one takes your life
Yet you died that I might live
Costly grace you freely give
Rock of Ages
You have paid the price
You were cleft to cover me
Let my hide myself in thee
And while I draw my final breath
I'll rest upon your grace
And when I close my eyes in death
I'll wake to see your face
Rock of Ages
No one takes your life
Yet you died that I might live
Costly grace you freely give
Rock of Ages
You have paid the price
You were cleft to cover me
Let my hide myself in thee
The inspiration for this song came to a young Augustus Toplady whilst he was travelling in a torrential downpour in the English countryside near Cheddar Gorge. In the midst of the storm, he sought shelter beneath a rocky outcrop, prompting the opening lines to this hymn:
‘Rock of ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee’
It is such a comfort to know, at this time of uncertainty and anxiety, the incredible truths in this song:
The truth that God is the rock of ages; that he is unchanging; that he is the one constant in our lives; and that he can be depended upon - no matter what.
The truth that nothing we do can change God's love for us, or the fact that he is the one only one who can cleanse us from our sin.
‘Not the labours of my hands can fulfil the law’s commands, should my passion never fade, and my efforts all be weighed, all for sin could not atone - you must save and you alone.’
The truth that when we cry out to him, he hears our plea. He is our comfort in such uncertainty, and he will provide for us. In the line ‘Naked come to thee for dress, helpless look to thee for grace’ reminds us of Luke 12 and the promise that God provides beyond our wildest expectations
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these.'“
[Luke 12:27]
Augustus Toplady died at the age of 38. However the words of this song proved true even as he faced death In his hymn he wrote
‘and while I draw my final breath I'll rest upon your grace, and when I close my eyes in death I'll wake to see your face’.
As he faced death he is quoted as saying:
‘My heart beats every day stronger and stronger for glory…my prayers are now all converted into praise.’
Isn’t that wonderful? As Christians we need not fear even death, because Christ has gone before us and our hope is that one day we will be united with him in glory.
CCLI Song # 7004664
Augustus Montague Toplady | Dustin Kensrue
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