Rock of Ages

Also known as: Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me

Author: Augustus Toplady

Composer: Thomas Hastings

Year: 1763

Style: hymn

Public Domain

★★★★★ Doctrinally Excellent

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Theological Analysis

A powerful declaration of salvation by grace alone. Toplady wrote this as a polemic against the Arminian theology of John Wesley, emphasizing human inability and Christ's sufficiency.

✓ Theological Strengths

Strong emphasis on grace alone ('Thou must save, and Thou alone')
Honest assessment of human inability
Rich atonement imagery (water and blood)
Christ as our hiding place from judgment
Perseverance from life through death to eternity

Line-by-Line Analysis

"Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the cross I cling"

★★★★★

Perhaps the most succinct statement of sola gratia in hymnody. We come empty-handed, trusting only in Christ.

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9Romans 4:5Titus 3:5

AI Theological Check

Chord Chart

Key:

Verse 1

C Rock of Ages, G cleft for me,

G7 Let me hide myself C in Thee;

Let the F water and the C blood,

From Thy G wounded side which C flowed,

Be of F sin the double C cure;

Save from G7 wrath and make me C pure.

Verse 2

C Not the labors G of my hands

G7 Can fulfill Thy law's C demands;

Could my F zeal no respite C know,

Could my G tears forever C flow,

All for F sin could not C atone;

Thou must G7 save, and Thou C alone.

Verse 3

C Nothing in my G hand I bring,

G7 Simply to the cross C I cling;

Naked, come F to Thee for C dress;

Helpless, look G to Thee for C grace;

Foul, I F to the fountain C fly;

Wash me, G7 Savior, or I C die.

Verse 4

C While I draw G this fleeting breath,

G7 When mine eyes shall C close in death,

When I F soar to worlds C unknown,

See Thee G on Thy judgment C throne,

Rock of F Ages, cleft for C me,

Let me G7 hide myself in C Thee.

Full Lyrics

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.

This hymn is in the public domain.

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