Rock of Ages - Traditional

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 Thy 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 my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Rock of Ages lyrics were written by Augustus Toplady and are famously associated with the image of a cleft rock providing shelter during a storm. The song emphasizes that human effort and tears cannot satisfy the demands of divine law and that salvation is found only in the double cure of the blood and water flowing from the side of Christ. It is a prayer for cleansing and mercy that has comforted generations of believers. By singing the Rock of Ages lyrics the congregation confesses their total dependence on the Savior finding peace in the unshakeable foundation of His grace and the eternal security of His love.