Rock of Ages, cleft for me
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{title: Rock of Ages, cleft for me}
{key: C}
{verse}
[C] Rock of ages, cleft for me,
[F] Let me hide myself in thee!
[G] Let the water and the blood,
[C] From thy riven side which flow'd,
[F] Be of sin the double cure,
[G] Cleanse me from its guilt and power.
{verse}
[C] Not the labours of my hands,
[F] Can fulfil thy law's demands;
[G] Could my zeal no respite know,
[C] Could my tears for ever flow;
[F] All for sin could not atone,
[G] Thou must save, and thou alone.
{verse}
[C] Nothing in my hand I bring,
[F] Simply to thy cross I cling;
[G] Naked, come to thee for dress;
[C] Helpless, look to thee for grace;
[F] Foul, I to the fountain fly;
[G] Wash me, Saviour, or I die!
{verse}
[C] While I draw this fleeting breath,
[F] When my eyelids close in death,
[G] When I soar to worlds unknown,
[C] See thee on thy judgment throne,
[F] Rock of ages, cleft for me,
[G] Let me hide myself in thee!
```
Rock of ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee!
Let the water and the blood,
From thy riven side which flow'd,
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.
Not the labours of my hands,
Can fulfil thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears for ever flow;
All for sin could not atone,
Thou must save, and thou 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!
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyelids 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!
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About This Hymn
"Rock of Ages, cleft for me" is a beloved Christian hymn written by Augustus Toplady in 1776. Toplady, an English preacher, wrote the hymn in response to a personal experience of spiritual reflection. The hymn’s title refers to the biblical metaphor of God as a "rock" of refuge and safety, found in verses like Psalm 18:2. The phrase "cleft for me" symbolizes the protection and salvation offered through Christ, drawing from the story of Moses seeking shelter in the cleft of a rock as God passed by (Exodus 33:22). The hymn is often seen as a powerful expression of faith, emphasizing God's saving grace and the believer's need for divine protection. The imagery and theology behind the hymn resonate with many Christians, offering both comfort and assurance of God's enduring love. "Rock of Ages" continues to be sung in churches worldwide, treasured for its timeless message of redemption and security in Christ.