Cleft For Me

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) Not the labors of my hands 
can fulfill thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save and thou alone.

3) 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.

4) 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.

This hymn was written by Augustus Montague Toplady (1740-1778). Toplady was raised by his mother, with his father passing away at a young age. While sickly and neurotic, Toplady was extremely intelligent, beginning to preach at the age of 12. Though his demeanor turned away other clergymen (he was perceived as arrogant ... you know the young Calvinist stereotype) his writings indicated a humble heart. Sharefaith.com posted this as a journal excerpt when Toplady was 27, "O my Lord let not my ministry be approved only, or tend to be no more than conciliating the esteem and affections of my people to thy unworthy messenger; but to do the work of thy grace upon their hearts: call in thy chosen; seal and edify thy regenerate; and command thy everlasting blessing upon their souls! Save me from self-opinion, and from self-seeking; and may they cease from man, and look solely upon thee.

As I read through this hymn today, I realize that Toplady wants nothing of himself in the picture of the Gospel. He wrote this hymn in a letter on forgiveness in a rebuttal of John Wesley. Topladywas all about the Gospel and what Christ did for people. Look at the third stanza. Toplady describes himself as owning nothing, naked, helpless, and foul. At first glance, one would think the writer could teach Eeyore a thing or two about self pity. Toplady realizes how much we need Christ and how little we bring to our own salvation. Dig past the surface, this is a hymn of joy.

Here's Johnny Cash singing this wonderful hymn.