Fountainview Academy - My Hope is Built on Nothing Less Lyrics
Lyrics
My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness seems to veil His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
in ev'ry high and stormy gale
my anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in Him be found,
wearing His righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
Video
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less | The Great Controversy | Fountainview Academy
Meaning & Inspiration
Fountainview Academy unveiled their rendition of "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less" on March 16, 2018, offering a timeless hymn with renewed spiritual depth. This release is more than just a musical performance; it’s a profound declaration of foundational Christian belief, inviting contemplation on the very ground upon which one builds their life. The song, originally penned by Edward Mote in 1834, remains a spiritual cornerstone, beautifully capturing the essence of unwavering faith in Christ. Fountainview Academy's interpretation brings a fresh, reverent energy to this classic, ensuring its vital message resonates with contemporary souls seeking enduring truth amidst life's shifting sands.
The true power of this hymn lies in its stark, uncompromising message: salvation and security are found solely in Jesus Christ. The lyrics immediately establish this theme, declaring, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." This isn't merely poetic language; it's a theological bedrock. "Jesus' blood" speaks directly to the atoning sacrifice on the cross, the payment for sin that reconciles humanity to God, as emphasized in Romans 5:9, which states we "have now been justified by His blood." Coupled with "righteousness," it refers to Christ's perfect, sinless life that is graciously imputed to believers, allowing them to stand faultless before a holy God. Philippians 3:9 beautifully articulates this, speaking of being found in Christ, "not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith." The stark contrast is drawn with the line, "I dare not trust the sweetest frame," rejecting any reliance on human merit, good works, or fleeting earthly stability, echoing the warning against self-righteousness found throughout Scripture, like in Isaiah 64:6 where our righteous deeds are compared to a "polluted garment."
The second stanza courageously confronts life's inevitable challenges and spiritual droughts. "When darkness seems to veil His face" acknowledges those moments when God's presence feels distant, when trials obscure understanding, or when doubt casts its shadow. Yet, in such times, the soul finds solace in "His unchanging grace." This speaks to the constancy of God's character and His covenant faithfulness, a truth powerfully affirmed in Lamentations 3:22-23: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." The imagery of "in ev'ry high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil" further reinforces this stability. The "veil" is a profound biblical reference to the inner sanctuary of the temple, accessible only through Christ's sacrifice, as explained in Hebrews 6:19-20, which describes hope as "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure, and it enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner Jesus has gone on our behalf." This suggests that even when the storms rage, faith in Christ provides an unshakable connection to God's very presence.
The third stanza shifts focus to the glorious future, the promised return of Christ and the believer's ultimate hope. "When He shall come with trumpet sound" paints a vivid picture of the Second Coming, a definitive event foretold in passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, describing the Lord descending "with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God." The earnest desire expressed, "O may I then in Him be found, wearing His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne," is the believer's ultimate aspiration. It articulates the longing to be fully identified with Christ, not by personal achievement, but by His perfect righteousness alone, enabling one to stand without blemish or accusation before the divine judgment seat. Jude 1:24 provides a beautiful parallel, speaking of God's ability "to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy." This stanza culminates the song's journey, from the initial act of faith to the confident expectation of eternal glory.
Throughout the song, the resounding chorus serves as a powerful, unwavering declaration: "On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand." This central refrain is not just a catchy line; it is the theological thesis statement, firmly rooted in biblical teaching. Jesus Himself uses this metaphor in Matthew 7:24-27, distinguishing between those who build their lives on His words (the wise builder on the rock) and those who do not (the foolish builder on sand). The "solid Rock" symbolizes Christ's unchangeable nature, His eternal truth, and His steadfast promises, offering absolute security against the transient, deceptive, and ultimately failing nature of anything else the world offers. Fountainview Academy’s rendition powerfully conveys this distinction, urging individuals to evaluate the foundation of their own lives. It's a call to unwavering faith, reminding everyone that in a world constantly shifting beneath our feet, the only secure standing is found in the eternal, unchanging Lord. This song leaves its mark as an inspiring anthem of trust, an encouragement to anchor one’s entire existence to the unshakeable truth of Christ.