Change Forever Hymn Book: Rock of Ages

Lyrics: A M Toplady

Music: Toplady

or: Petra (Redhead)

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 labor 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 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.

[verse 4 line 2 originally read, "When my eye-strings break in death" hmm... ]

Sheet music for the tune Toplady can be downloaded here.

Sheet music for the tune Redhead/Petra can be downloaded here.

Modernised Words

Lyrics: A M Toplady (Mod. R.Mc)

Rock of Ages, cleft right through,
Let me hide myself in You;

or

Rock of Ages, riven through,
Let me hide myself in You;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.

Not the labour of my hands
Can fulfill Your law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
You must save, and You alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Your cross I cling;
Naked, come to You for dress;
Helpless, look to You for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die!

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See You on Your judgement throne,
Rock of Ages, riven through,
Let me hide myself in You.

The Praise! hymnbook offers:
(Rock of ages, cleft for me,
(hide me now, my refuge be)
which is not much better!
However the Praise! hymnbook is a good source of older hymns written in contemporary language.

I don't think Toplady's original words can be improved. The 'me' 'Thee' is too important. If you disagree and want modernised, try these either of these two options.

Youtube Videos

Tune: Toplady

A cappella