Hymn Study for Homeschoolers is a new series being published weekdays from October 15-26. It’s a simple guide to hymn study that includes free printable notebooking and copywork pages for ten well-loved hymns.
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Rock of Ages
Hymn History
Augustus M. Toplady
Augustus M. Toplady, author of “Rock of Ages,” was born on November 4, 1740, in Farnham, England. He became a Christian at the age of sixteen while on a trip to Ireland.
After attending Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, Toplady was ordained an Anglican priest in 1762. He left the Anglican church in 1775 and began preaching at the French Calvinist Chapel in Leicester Fields. He was noted for his powerful evangelistic preaching.
Mr. Toplady published the text for “Rock of Ages” in 1776 under the title “A Living and Dying Prayer for the Holiest Believer in the World.” Although apparently written as a result of a doctrinal disagreement between Toplady and John Wesley, “Rock of Ages” has become one of the most popular hymns ever written.
Thomas Hastings
Thomas Hastings, composer of the tune for Mr. Toplady’s text, was born on October 15, 1784, in Washington, Connecticut. He grew up on a farm, walking six miles to school. He was an albino and, as a result, suffered eye problems throughout his life.
Although he had little musical training, he spent his life training choirs and writing sacred music. He wrote almost one thousand hymn tunes and six hundred hymn texts during his lifetime.
Hymn Lyrics
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.
You can also download sheet music for Rock of Ages.
Listen to the Hymn
Choral arrangement by Antrim Mennonite Choir
Additional Activities
Notebooking/Copywork
You’re welcome to download this free set of notebooking and copywork pages to use in your hymn study.
Scripture Memorization
“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust . . .” – Psalm 18:2
Vocabulary Words
- cleft
- zeal
- respite
- atone
Sources: The Cyber Hymnal, 101 Hymn Stories: The Inspiring True Stories Behind 101 Favorite Hymns
Hymn Study for Homeschoolers is part of the Hopscotch, an event hosted by iHomeschool Network.
