Rock of Ages

First published in 1775, “Rock of Ages” remains a classic hymn today. In author Augustus Montague Toplady’s short life due to tuberculosis at the age of 38, he devoted most of it to the ministry.

When the first stanza was published in October of 1775 in “The Gospel Magazine” (amazingly founded in 1766 and still in print today), it was part of a larger article entitled “Life A Journey.” Within the article, he wrote, “Yet if you fall, be humbled; but do not despair. Pray afresh to God who is able raise you up, and to set you on your feet again. Look to the blood of the covenant; and say to the Lord, from the depth of your heart; Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee! Foul I to the fountain fly; wash me, savior, or I die!”

In March of 1776, the full hymn was published in the same magazine. That included the four stanzas we’re familiar with today, along with a few minor edits along the way. The article in which it was printed, penned by Toplady, begins with a question. “What return can believers render, to the glorious and gracious Trinity, for mercy and plenteous redemption like this?”

Before printing the full hymn, Toplady responds to his own question. “We can only admire and bless the FATHER, for electing us in Christ, and for laying on Him the iniquities of us all; the SON, for taking our nature and our debts upon himself, and for that complete righteousness and sacrifice, whereby he redeemed his mystic Israel from all their sins; and the co-equal SPIRIT, for causing us (in conversion) to feel our need of Christ, for inspiring us with faith to embrace him, for visiting us with his sweet consolations by shedding abroad his love in our hearts, for sealing us to the day of Christ, and for making us to walk in the path of his commandments.”

Verse 1

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.

Isaiah referred to God as an “everlasting rock” (Isaiah 26:4). And Moses was sheltered by God in the cleft of a rock while God basically walked by him. Exodus 33:22. In that first line, we basically sing; everlasting God, shelter me! The rich imagery in just the first verse is so moving!

Verse 2

Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law’s commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.

Going back to the magazine article in 1776, and Toplady’s question, “What return can believers render, to the glorious and gracious Trinity, for mercy and plenteous redemption like this?”  We can never repay God for his grace, mercy, and redemptive nature. Ephesians 2:8-9

Verse 3

Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the 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.

My wife Melissa writes, “I often, like the rich young ruler, miss the blessing of emptiness…when all lesser comforts are stripped away. But I’m learning (slowly – I’m also stubborn) that’s when we finally see the true beauty of the cross.”

Verse 4

While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.

Our life is but a whisper (James 4:14) and when all has been said and done, we will meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

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