Rock of Ages

I love having a new appreciation for something old. I feel excited that I am able to connect to something - a song, a poem, a work of art, an idea - that has great meaning to past peoples and generations. I experienced this recently with the hymn "Rock of Ages."

Chris Rice recently released a hymns project with all the songs done very simply, just vocals, acoustic guitar, and piano, and generally in a fairly traditional arrangement. I think the simplicity of his versions really helped reframe these songs I've heard a million times and made me more attentive to the words than ever before. As I listened to the song "Rock of Ages" - a song I haven't thought of in a rather long time - I was just moved to tears at how exquisitely the lyricist captured the truths of redemption and salvation.

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 laws demands
Could my zeal no respite know
Could my tears forever flow
These 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 my eyes are closed in death
When I rise to worlds unknown
And behold Thee on Thy throne
Rock of Ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee.

In the first verse, it speaks of Christ's death being the double cure. Chris (our pastor) spoke on this just last Sunday: we were saved not only from sin, but from God's wrath against that sin in us!

I also love the line that says, "Wash me Savior or I die." It is so stark and simple - outside of Christ there is only death.

Anyway, just wanted to share how that song had affected me recently. Hope you can see it in a new light, too!