ROCK OF AGES

 

Friday, January 3, 2025

ROCK OF AGES

 

1 Cor 10:1-4

10 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

 

Ps 40:2

2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

 

“Rock of Ages” is a Christian hymn written by Anglican minister, Rev.  Augustus M. Toplady, with music by Thomas Hastings.

 

Legend says that Toplady wrote the hymn during a stormy incident in England. While traveling along the gorge in Burrington Combe, he was caught in a fierce storm and took shelter in a gap in the gorge, where he wrote the original lyrics. Some disagree on whether the event actually occurred; nevertheless, the rock is now marked with a plaque that reads: “Rock of Ages: This rock derives its name from the well-known hymn written about 1762 by the Rev A M Toplady who was inspired whilst sheltering in this cleft during a storm.”

 

          The following paragraph preceded the first stanza of the hymn: “Yes, if you fall, be humbled, but do not despair. Pray afresh to God, who is able to raise you up, and set you on your feet again. Look to the blood of the covenant; and say to the Lord from the depths of your heart . . .”

 

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

 

Ps 95:5

95 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

 

AMEN