Edward Mote - On Christ the solid Rock I Stand 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.
Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
Video
The Solid Rock - from The Hymns Project (Lyric Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Edward Mote’s profound hymn, "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand," stands as a monumental declaration of faith, recently spotlighted again through its enduring impact on May 2, 2017, as its timeless message continues to resonate with new generations. Penned in 1834, this powerful composition, though centuries old, perpetually finds fresh voice and renewed appreciation for its unwavering theological certainty. Mote, a self-taught pastor and cabinetmaker, reportedly conceived the verses after witnessing a storm and reflecting on the transient nature of earthly foundations. His personal journey, marked by early hardship and later spiritual awakening, instilled in him a deep conviction in the reliability of Christ, a conviction he poured into these lines, creating a spiritual anchor for countless believers traversing life’s turbulent waters.
The hymn immediately establishes its core message in the opening lines, asserting that genuine hope is fundamentally rooted in divine grace and redemptive work. The declaration, "My hope is built on nothing less / Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness," boldly sets aside any reliance on human merit or fleeting circumstances. This mirrors the biblical truth found in Ephesians 2:8-9, which states that salvation is "by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." The hymn's initial stanza thus invites an essential surrender, a complete trust in Christ's finished work rather than in one's own "sweetest frame" or fragile efforts, a theological stance echoed in Romans 3:20-24, where righteousness is granted through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from the law.
The iconic refrain, "On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; / All other ground is sinking sand," serves as the hymn's unwavering cornerstone, a powerful metaphor that grounds the entire message. This imagery draws directly from Christ's parable in Matthew 7:24-27, distinguishing between the wise person who builds their house on the rock and the foolish one who builds on sand, highlighting the critical importance of a stable foundation when life’s storms arrive. Christ is repeatedly identified as the "Rock" in Scripture, a source of strength and refuge, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:4, where Paul states that the Israelites "drank from the spiritual Rock that accompanied them, and that Rock was Christ." The refrain functions as both a declaration of faith and a warning, compelling a stark choice between the steadfastness of Christ and the treacherous instability of everything else.
The hymn’s second stanza offers profound comfort in moments of spiritual struggle, reminding us that even "when darkness veils His lovely face," our reliance remains "on His unchanging grace." This speaks to seasons of doubt or perceived divine absence, reaffirming that God’s character and grace are constant, irrespective of our fluctuating emotions or understanding. The powerful image of an "anchor holds within the veil" directly references Hebrews 6:19-20, where hope in Christ is described as "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure, which enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain." This spiritual anchor is not merely a wish but a certainty, securely fastened to Christ, who has gone before us, ensuring stability even in the most "high and stormy gale," a promise of divine presence and refuge found in passages like Psalm 46:1-3.
Further reinforcing this foundation, the third stanza emphasizes the unbreakable pillars of God’s faithfulness: "His oath, His covenant, His blood / Support me in the whelming flood." This trinity of divine assurance points to the historical and redemptive narrative of Scripture. God’s oath and covenant signify His unwavering promises, incapable of being broken (Numbers 23:19, 2 Timothy 2:13). Christ’s blood is the seal of the New Covenant, the ultimate act of atonement that provides salvation and reconciliation (Luke 22:20). When "all around my soul gives way," these divine certainties become the sole "hope and stay," echoing the psalmist's trust in God as his refuge and strength even in overwhelming circumstances, as seen in Psalm 23:4, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me."
The hymn culminates with an anticipation of Christ’s return, shifting from present reliance to future hope: "When He shall come with trumpet sound, / Oh, may I then in Him be found." This eschatological vision aligns with 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, which describes Christ’s coming accompanied by a trumpet call and the gathering of believers. The desire to be "Dressed in His righteousness alone, / Faultless to stand before the throne" encapsulates the ultimate promise of salvation. It is not our own righteousness, but Christ’s imputed righteousness that makes us acceptable to God, a central theme in the Gospel (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 5:17). This final stanza looks forward to a future glory, a standing before God not on personal merit, but solely on the perfect, spotless record of Jesus Christ, providing immense comfort and a powerful incentive for faithful living.
"On Christ, the Solid Rock, I Stand" is more than just a hymn; it is a theological treatise in verse, a steadfast confession that has buoyed the spirits of countless believers through generations. Its message, centered on the absolute sufficiency and immutability of Christ as the foundation for life and eternity, remains as vital and compelling today as it was in the 19th century. Through its simple yet profound language and rich biblical allusions, it calls every soul to examine their own foundation and to unequivocally place their trust in the one unchanging, solid Rock. Its enduring power lies in its ability to articulate the deepest longings for security and purpose, pointing unfailingly to Christ as the ultimate answer and the unwavering anchor for the soul.