Concert of Sacred Metaphors: Rock of Ages

(Part 11 of the series on my only solo concert to date: A Concert of Sacred Metaphors, 2006).

This song is very popular in western movies. Some of them like it so much that all they can do is sing the first verse over and over again.  Some like it so well that they can only sing the first line of words as the entire text for the whole song.

It really is sad that they know so little of the song, or its theological depth, to treat it so. But here it is, straight, true, and paradoxically deep in metaphor.

1

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.

2

Could my tears forever flow, Could me zeal no languor know,

These for sin could not atone — Thou must save, and thou alone;

In my hand no price I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling.

3

While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyes shall close 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.