31 Days of Hymns - Day 8

Rock of Ages, Cleft For Me

Written in 1776, "Rock of Ages, Cleft For Me", written by Augustus Tolady, continues to this day, to be a beloved hymn.

My first deep encounter with this hymn was 15 years ago when I attended Bible Study Fellowship's "Moses" study. It was during this study that I became familiar with Exodus 33:21-24 And the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.” As you listen and sing this song consider the meaning of how Christ is the Rock, the place where we are protected and saved. God in His grace and mercy has provided this rock, this cleft for us. Christ is our rock, our salvation, our protector, our eternal hope.

Listen here:
http://www.hymnary.org/text/rock_of_ages_cleft_for_me_let_me_hide

Contemporary rendition solemnly sung
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ4erQPekfk


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 labors 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.

More about this hymn:
http://www.hymnary.org/text/rock_of_ages_cleft_for_me_let_me_hide

For your edification, A sermon by Charles H. Spurgeon:
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/3120.htm