The Story Behind Rock Of Ages

Rock Of Ages

There is a gorge near the English town of North Somerset where a hollow cleft runs up through the side of a solid rock wall. It makes a long, narrow opening through the rock, big enough to hide a young man.

Some time around 1763, just such a young man was traveling through the area when a violent storm arose. Seeking shelter from the storm, the young man, a minister from a neighboring village, hid himself in that crevice until the storm had passed and he was safe.

While in the shelter of that rock wall, the young preacher marveled at a God who had so magnificently provided shelter for him at such an opportune time. He saw the provision of a sovereign God at work and a poem began to take shape in his mind. Being something of a hymn writer, he put a tune to the poem and created a song as the storm raged on. The hymn was not published right away but it was finally made public, 12 years later, in a publication named “The Gospel Magazine.”

Augustus Toplady, the young preacher, was only 23 years of age but his work has become one of the most well known and easily recognizable hymns of the church. It compares a rock that was “smitten” in order to provide protection from a storm, to Jesus, The Rock, who was smitten for the sake of the world.

Psalms 18:2

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge.”

Here are the lyrics to Augustus Toplady’s greatest work, known to you and I as the “Rock Of Ages.”

ROCK OF AGES

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

2-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

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

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