Rock of Ages clef for me

7.         SCRIPTURE READING :

                        O.T. -   ISAIAH 55:1-9

                        EPISTLE - I COR. 10:1-13

8.    ROCK OF AGES CLEF FOR ME – EMHB 498;  YMHB 308

Author: Augustus M. Toplady

Presenter: Sis. M. W. Oladele

“Rock of Ages” has been ranked one of the most popular and best known Hymns in the English Language, ever written, often described as a “hymn that meet the spiritual needs of all sorts and conditions of men.

Most hymns have been written out of some deep personal experience, but this hymn was born in a spirit of intense controversy.

The hymn writer, Augustus Toplady was converted to Christianity as a 16 years old young boy while visiting Ireland. He was born on November 4, 1740 in Franham, England. The son of Major Richard Toplady, who died in the service while Augustus was an infant.

Toplady graduated from Trinity College in Dublin, and was ordained in 1762 as an Anglican Minister. A powerful Evangelical Preacher, his other pastorates included the French Calvinist Chapel at Leicester Fields, London. In 1778, Toplady died of overwork and from tuberculosis at the age of 38.

Toplady was attracted to the Ministry of the Methodist Brothers, Charles and John Wesley. As time went by, he became a strong follower of John Calvin of the “election” doctrines. Toplady opposed the Arminian views of sanctification promoted by the Wesleys that it is possible for any believer to lure without consciously sinning that is, experience a state of moral perfection described in Heb. 4:9. Theological war fares were carried on by the Wesleys and Toplady through public debates, sermon and printed materials.

In 1776, Toplady published this hymn text in The Gospel Magazine as climax to an article attempting to prove his argument that man, in his own efforts could never satisfy the eternal justice of a holy God. He entitled the hymn “A Living and Dying prayer for the Holiest Believer in the world”. Toplady’s rebuttal is found in the second stanza of the hymn.

The tune for this hymn was composed in 1830 by American Church Musician Thomas Hastings (1784-1872), born in Washington, Connecticut. He was the first musician of sacred music to dedicate his life to raising the standard of the America Music of the Churches. Afflicted with eye problems being an albino, he wrote 50 volumes of Church Music including 1,000 hymn tunes and numerous original hymn texts.

Despite the original disagreements behind the text, the Lord has preserved “Rock of  Ages” with blessing, as it remains to be one of the traditional favourites in Protestant Churches, Independent of Denominations.

Enjoy the singing of the Hymn “Rock of Ages”

EMHB 498

1.    Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From Thy riven side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure,

Cleanse me from its guilt and power.

2.    Not the labours of my hands

Can fulfil Thy law’s demands,

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears for ever flow,

All for sin could not atone:

Thou must save, and Thou alone.

3.    Nothing in my hand I bring,

Simply to thy Cross I cling:

Naked, come to Thee for dress;

Helpless, look to Thee for grace;

Foul, I to the fountain fly;

Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

4.    While I draw this fleeting breath,

When my eyelids close in death,

When I sour to worlds unknown,

See Thee on Thy judgement throne:

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee.

YMHB 308

1.    Apata Aiyeraiye

Se ibi isadi mi;

Jeki omi on eje,

T’o san lati iha Re,

Se iwosan f’ ese mi,

K’o si so mi di mimo.

2.    Ki se ise owo mi

L’o le mu ofin Re se;

B’ itara mi ko sare,

T’ omije mi nsan titi,

Nwon ko to setu f’ ese:

‘Wo nikan l’o le gbala.

3.    Ko s’ ohun ti mo muwa,

Mo ro mo agbelebu;

Mo wa, k’ O d’ aso bo mi;

Mo now O fun iranwo;

Mo wa sib’ Orisun ni;

We mi, Olugbala mi.

4.    ‘Gbati emi mi ba nlo,

T’ iku ba p’ oju mi de,

Ti m’ ba nlo s’ aiye aimo,

Ti mo ri O n’ ite Re,

Apata Aiyeraiye,

Se ibi isadi mi!

 Adesegun Akitoye

http://www.homebusinessassurance.com