“You are my mighty rock, my fortress, my protector, the rock where I am safe, my shield … and my place of shelter.” (Psalm 18:2 CEV)
This morning at Webster Bible Church, we’ll conclude our worship service by singing the hymn, “Rock of Ages.” Its author, Augustus Toplady, was born in England in 1740. His father died soon after Augustus was born, so he was raised by his mother. Around the time he was 15, Augustus came to faith in Christ while attending a Methodist revival held in an old barn. He was ordained to the ministry in 1762.
Toplady wrote many hymns, but “Rock of Ages” is by far his most famous. At one time it was reported to be in more church hymnals than any other English hymn. The first stanza was published in 1775 in The Gospel Magazine. The full version of the hymn was printed the following year in Toplady’s book Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Worship.
As the story goes, Toplady was moved to write the hymn after getting caught in a storm while traveling through the English countryside. He found shelter in the cleft of a great rock. Stirred by the situation and scenery, Toplady scribbled down some of the initial lyrics right then and there. Below is a picture of the Burrington Combe gorge in North Somerset, England, where the alleged incident took place, as noted by the plaque that is mounted there.
Burrington Combe gorge in North Somerset, England
I have always loved this classic hymn, because it expresses so well — on a very personal level — what Jesus accomplished by his atoning sacrifice for undeserving sinners like me. It reminds me that Jesus is my only refuge. There is no salvation apart from him, yet he provides it fully and freely to all who trust in him.
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 commands;
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.
Augustus Toplady died in 1778 of tuberculosis, when he was only 38 years old. Despite his short life and ministry, I’m glad that God used him to write a hymn that celebrates the wondrous power of the gospel and has encouraged the people of God down through the centuries. May we continue to sing it with reverent joy, to the glory of God our Savior.
(For more information about the history behind this hymn, check out Tim Challies’ article, “Hymn Stories: Rock of Ages.”)