Monday, April 10, 2017

Hymnal Study-Rock of Ages,cleft for me



http://www.greatchristianhymns.com/images/rock-of-ages.jpg

    Today ,we(my family) start a daily/weekly hymnal study(it will depend on how well we know the hymn). It is an idea that has played in my mind for a while but with the new Bible study at church(lead by our lovely Pastor Dorothy Ann Webster of Lineville First United Methodist Church /Lineville,AL) ,the idea has caught hold and not let go.
    As I wondered where to start and how to start -I did know with what hymn to start with.
"Rock of Ages,cleft for me" is a personal favorite ,not just for the Biblical aspect , it was my twins lullaby when they were babies,I sang it when they were baptized at 6 months by the late Dr.Jerry Herston at Mt.Moriah ,in the same church that I grew up in.
    I found good info from many sources but  hhtps://huhpages.com/education/hyn-study  had it written out simplest. I will do my best to include the info on where I get any and all info from.
    So here to start is sheet music for "Rock of Ages,cleft for me".

  (image from prayerfoundation.org)

words to look up: cleft,wrath,zeal,languor,atone

The Story behind the hymn(http://officialrockofages.com/Pages/Story.htm)


Augustus Toplady: The inspiration behind The Rock of Ages
"AUGUSTUS TOPLADY - he wrote one of the world's best hymns while sheltering from a violent thunderstorm.
LIGHTNING briefly illuminated the primitive, rock- hewn landscape of Burrington Combe in Somerset. It was followed by a deep growl of thunder, and then rain lashed mercilessly down, pouring bubbling streamlets down the craggy sides of primeval cliffs which rise up some 250ft. to the Mendip Heights on one side, and into Cheddar Gorge on the other.
The curate of Blagdon, a nearby village, had been travelling along the road near the cliffs when the storm struck and dashed into a cave for shelter. He had been fortunate to find this hiding-place so quickly, and while waiting for the storm to pass he began to muse on the idea of the "rock of faith" being a shelter from the "storms of life". The words for a hymn began to form in his mind but, according to the legend that still persists, he had no paper in his pocket to write down the words. Looking down he saw a playing card, considered a sinful thing by the young cleric. Nevertheless, he picked it up and began to write:
Rock of ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee.
The curate was Augustus Montague Toplady, and such is the popular story behind the origin of one of the world's best-loved hymns which was first published in the Gospel Magazine in 1775, some 12 years after Toplady wrote it."
From: This England Magazine - Winter 1988 Issue

 ( https://www.challies.com/articles/hymn-stories-rock-of-ages )-contains history of Augustus Toplady's life

http://www.sermonaudio.com/hymn_details.asp?PID=rockofagescleftforme 

contains details of Augustus Toplady's life -also where these scripture references where found -

Rock of Ages, cleft for me- Psalm 62:5-8
Let me hide myself in Thee - Exodus 33:22
Let the water and the blood - 1 John 5:6
From Thy riven side which flowed - John 19:34
Be of sin the double cure - 2 Kings 2:9-10
Cleanse me from its guilt and power- Isaiah 1:19

Not the labour of my hands- John 5:30 (first clause)
Can fulfil the law's demands- Exodus 33:22
Could my zeal no respite know- Psalm 69:6 (first clause)
Could my tears forever flow - Psalm 6:6
All for sin could not atone - Heb. 10:5-6
Thou must save and Thou alone - Hebrews 10:8-10

Nothing in my hand I bring - Isaiah 4:1
Simply to Thy Cross I cling - Galatians 6:14
Naked come to Thee for dress- Rom. 13:14 (first clause)
Helpless look to Thee for grace- Philippians 4:I3
Foul, I to the fountain fly - Psalm 2:7
Wash me Saviour, or I die - John 13:8 (second clause)

While I draw this fleeting breath- Psalm 103:15-16
When my eyelids close in death - Ecclesiastes 12:3-7
When I soar to worlds unknown - John 14:2-3
See Thee on Thy judgment throne - Matthew 25:31
Rock of Ages cleft for me- 1 Corinthians 10:4 (third clause)
Let me hide myself in Thee - Psalm 16:1-8