Hide Me, Rock of Ages

 

1

O thou blessed rock of ages (Rock of Ages I am)

Trusting now dear Lord in thee (Dear Lord, in thee I’m trusting)

Keep me till my journey's ended (Journey’s ended, keep me)

Till thy blessed face I see

2

Keep me when the storm clouds gather (storm clouds gather, keep me)

Till the sun comes shining thru (comes shining thru the shadows)

Keep me till my work is over (work is over, keep me)

Till I bid this world adieu.

3

When my journey is completed (is completed, Savior)

And there's no more work to do (no work to do, O blessed)

Savior guide my weary spirit (weary spirit to that)

Happy land beyond the blue.

REFRAIN:

Hide me, O blest Rock of Ages (Ages, Rock of Ages, hide me)

Till Thy blessed face I see (Thy face I see in glory)

When the storm around me rages (Round me rages, blessed)

Rock of Ages, hide thou me

Author: Brantley C. George

When I was growing up I attended a little country church in Watervliet, Michigan. It was a small congregation, but filled with good singers. There was one man in our congregation who had the deepest bass voice I've ever heard. A lot of the songs in our songbooks featured either an alto or bass "lead" on the refrain. This song was one of them. Every time I hear it, I think of Chet Linville.

The phrase "Rock of Ages" does not appear in the Bible, although there are many instances in scripture that use the word "rock" to describe God and Jesus. The concept of being hidden in the rock brings to mind this passage from Exodus 33 --

17 And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. 18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. 20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 21 And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: 23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.