David Crowder Band - Rock of Ages Lyrics
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 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.
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.
Video
Rock Of Ages
Meaning & Inspiration
David Crowder Band’s rendition of "Rock of Ages," released on April 18, 2015, is far more than a musical performance; it's a profound spiritual declaration, a vibrant echo of a timeless hymn that resonates with the core of Christian faith. This song dives deep into the concept of salvation through Christ alone, drawing its power from a rich theological foundation that has comforted and inspired believers for generations. The central metaphor, the "Rock of Ages, cleft for me," immediately grounds the listener in the image of Jesus, the solid, unshakeable foundation for our lives, whose sacrifice, symbolized by the piercing of His side from which "water and blood" flowed, provides the "double cure" for sin. This imagery powerfully recalls John 19:34, where blood and water emerge from Jesus’ pierced side, a profound testament to His completed work on the cross.
The song artfully unpacks the inadequacy of human effort in achieving righteousness. The lyrics acknowledge that no amount of personal striving, "labors of my hands," intense "zeal," or ceaseless "tears" can ever truly atone for sin or fulfill God's perfect law. This aligns directly with scriptural truths found in Romans 3:20, which states, "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight." The profound realization that "Thou must save, and thou alone" becomes the song's powerful refrain, emphasizing our utter dependence on God's grace. The surrender inherent in "Nothing in my hand I bring" and "Simply to the cross I cling" speaks to a radical trust, a shedding of self-reliance for the liberating embrace of Christ's finished work. This mirrors the Apostle Paul's own declaration in Philippians 3:9: "and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."
The imagery of being "Naked, come to thee for dress" and "Helpless, look to thee for grace" powerfully conveys the believer’s humble position before a holy God. We are spiritual paupers, utterly destitute without His provision. The desperate plea, "Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die," is a raw and honest cry for redemption, recognizing that only through the cleansing power of Christ's blood can we be made pure. This connects to Revelation 7:14, where the elders are described as those "who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." The song concludes with a profound hope that extends beyond this earthly life, looking forward to the "judgment throne" with the assurance that in Christ, we have a secure refuge. The enduring message of "Rock of Ages" is a timeless invitation to find our ultimate security and purity not in ourselves, but in the sacrificial love and finished work of Jesus Christ, the eternal Rock of our salvation.