There stands a Rock on shores of time
That rears to heav’n its head sublime.
That Rock is cleft, and they are blest
Who find within this cleft a rest.
That Rock’s a cross, its arms outspread,
Celestial glory bathes its head;
To its firm base my all I bring,
And to the Rock of Ages cling.
That Rock’s a tow’r, whose lofty height,
Illumed with heav’n’s unclouded light,
Opens its gate beneath the dome
Where saints find rest with Christ at home.
Some build their hopes on the ever-drifting sand,
Some on their fame, or their treasure, or their land;
Mine’s on the Rock that forever shall stand,
Jesus, the Rock of Ages.
– Published in “Sunday School Journal” (1871)