ROCK OF AGES
"The Lord is the Rock eternal." Isaiah 26:4
Words: Augustus Montague Toplady, 1776. An unsubstantiated story says
the lyrics were inspired when Toplady took shelter from a storm under a
rocky overhang near England's Cheddar Gorge; he reportedly wrote the
words on a playing card. This hymn was sung at the funeral of William
Gladstone in Westminster Abbey, London, England.
Music: "Toplady," Thomas Hastings, 1830.
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 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.
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.