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The Original Rock
“Trust ye in the LORD forever: for in the LORD Jehovah is everlasting strength [literally, a Rock of Ages].” Isaiah 26:4
“Rock of Ages, cleft for me” has long been one of the best known hymns in the English language.
The hymn’s author, Augustus Montague Toplady, was born at Farnham, Surrey, England, November 4, 1740. He was only an infant when his father, Major Richard Toplady, was killed at the siege of Cartagena, a seaport of Columbia, in South America. His mother seems to have been a woman of character and force and he grew up under her pious care. When he was sixteen years old, she took him to Codymain, Ireland, on a visit to friends. While there he was attracted to a religious meeting held in a barn, under the preaching of an illiterate man named James Morris. The text was, "But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometime were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13. "Under that dear messenger and his sermon," wrote Toplady in later years, "I was, I trust, brought nigh by the blood of Christ; in August, 1756―in a barn, and under the ministry of one who could hardly spell his name. The excellency of such power must be of God―not of man.”
Yes, it is God's word that does the work in souls, regardless of who speaks the message. And that verse has a wonderful message. It shows our ruin by sin, "far off," far from God. It speaks, too, of the only means of redemption from sin―"the blood of Christ." And it says that we who believe are not only saved from the wrath to come, but are "made nigh to God"―which means, near to Him as His children, not as servants in bondage and fear, but in the happy liberty of love. God's word says, "In Adam all die," but "in Christ Jesus," we live, and live to God.
Ask yourself, honestly, Am 1 in Adam, or in Christ? If you are not "born again," you are in Adam; if you have been converted, as was young Toplady, you are "in Christ Jesus,” where "there is no condemnation." Romans 8:1.
Augustus began to write his hymns while still quite young. The following was composed by him while yet in his teens:
"Surely Christ thy griefs hath borne,
Weeping soul, no longer mourn:
View Him bleeding on the tree,
Pouring out His life for thee:
There thy every sin He bore;
Weeping soul, lament no more.
Weary sinner, keep thine eyes
On the atoning sacrifice:
There, the incarnate Deity,
Numbered with transgressors, see!
There, His Father's absence mourns,
Nailed, and bruised, and crowned with thorns!
Cast thy guilty soul on Him,
Find Him mighty to redeem;
At His feet thy burden lay,
Look thy doubts and cares away.
Now, by faith, the Son embrace―
Plead His promise; trust His grace!”
Augustus became a preacher and, reportedly, was led to compose “Rock of Ages” when, travelling and having been overtaken by a storm, he took shelter in a cleft or fissure in a large rock near the road (traditionally said to be in the area of Burrington Combe, England).
Mr. Toplady, like many of God's choicest servants, was never very robust or strong; his zeal far exceeded his strength. In hope that a change would be beneficial, he moved to London, where he preached occasionally. But the seeds of tuberculosis were deeply rooted; his light frame rapidly wasted away, and he died in London, at the age of forty-nine. To a friend who had asked how he was, as he lay dying, he said, "Oh, my dear sir, I cannot tell the comforts I feel in my soul―they are past expression. The consolations of God are so abundant that He leaves me nothing to pray for. My prayers are all converted into praise. I enjoy a heaven within my soul." And, just before he passed away, he asked his friends. if they were willing to give him up; and when they answered, "Yes," tears of joy and thankfulness coursed down his cheeks, while he said, "Oh, what a blessing that you are made willing to give me over to the hands of my dear Redeemer and part with me; for no mortal can live after having seen the glories which God has manifested to my soul!”
Dear reader, make this dear Redeemer, our Lord Jesus Christ, yours, that your "last end may be like his.”
C. Knapp
(Adapted from: Who Wrote Our Hymns by Christopher Knapp, BTP #3139)
This hymn has been translated and revised numerous times over the past 250 years. One of the better versions follows:
Rock of Ages, cleft for sin,
Grace hath hid me safe within;
Where the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side which flowed,
Are of sin the double cure,
Cleansing from its guilt and power.
Not the labor of our hands
Could fulfill Thy law's demands;
Could our zeal no respite know,
Could our tears forever flow,
Naught for sin could e’er atone―
But Thy blood, and Thine alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die!
Found by Thee before I sought,
Unto Thee in mercy brought.
I through Thee have righteousness―
From Thy fullness, grace on grace!
Thou has washed me in Thy blood,
Made me live, and live to God!
While I draw this fleeting breath,
Should mine eyes e’er close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
Stand before Thy holy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
I’m forever safe in Thee.