Rock of Ages - a hymn by Augustus Toplady
It is a stunning reality that a song such as “Rock of Ages” still finds it’s way into the Lord’s Day congregational singing here in the year 2020. How is that? How is it that a song written in 1776 can still have value and benefit for the saints almost 250 years later? Praise God, it seems to be that the truth always has and always will outlive us. As we continue to sing this song, I believe there are a few lines that we may need to consider more deeply in order to gain an even better understanding of what we're singing about.
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.
Verse 2
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.
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.
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.
“Rock of Ages, cleft for me”:
Toplady (the author of this hymn) addresses the Lord as the "Rock of Ages,: meaning “Lord you are my shield and fortress. Oh Lord, be my defense from sin.”
“be of sin the double cure, save from wrath and make me pure”:
This double cure lyric is somewhat given it’s own definition by the following lyrics. The saint has not only been saved from the wrath of God, but has indeed also been given the ability to live a life of purity in glory to God.
“Could my zeal no respite know”:
Verse 2 starts with the understanding that it is only by faith that we are redeemed, and it is not a working of our hands. This particular line seems to show that the pursuit of Christ is right and noble, but that pursuit does not save. The work of Christ on the cross alone makes atonement for our sin, and in this understanding of His mercy and grace toward us, we press on with steadfastness.
Verse 3 in it’s entirety said again:
Lord, my righteousness is as filthy rags and I approach you empty handed and undeserving. As I cling to the cross and look to it for the forgiveness of sins, I am made aware of a few things;
1.) I am naked, yet I am clothed in your righteousness.
2.) I am helpless, yet your power is made strong when I am aware of my weakness.
3.) I am foul with the stench of sin, yet you washed me white as snow.
We echo the psalmist David, as Psalm 18:1-3 states,
1 I love you, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.
Article by Pastor Hunter Bobo
