As I write I’m listening to music from Sovereign Grace Music – two of my favorite newer albums (can we still call them albums?). Upward, the Bob Kauflin Hymns Project and Valley of Vision, based on the Puritan Prayers of the same name. Wonderful text, some old hymns and some new, great melody lines, all in all a tremendous tool for personal reflection. We have used many of these songs as congregational singing at church, and had others done as special music to fit a particular theme or purpose. Two of my favorites, even though it’s hard to pick favorites, are retooled older songs by Augustus M Toplady. I had grown weary of the classic Rock of Ages tune to the point that I had no idea what the text even said, and that is a shame.
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.
All the labors of my hands
could not fill Thy law’s demands;
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 hands I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress,
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
To Thy fountain, Lord I fly,
Wash me Savior, or I die!
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgement throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
It was sung by rote, with no thought. The haunting melody on Upward brings the great old lyrics to life.
A Debtor to Mercy Alone is the other Toplady text on this album, and is worth the price of the CD all by itself. This is one of my most quoted songs:
A debtor to mercy alone,
of covenant mercy I sing.
I come with your righteousness on,
my humble off’ring to bring.
The judgements of your holy law
with me can have nothing to do.
My Savior’s obedience and blood
hide all my transgressions from view.
The work which your goodness began,
the arm of your strength will complete.
Your promise is yes and amen,
and never was forfeited yet.
The future or things that are now,
no power below or above,
can make you your purpose forego,
or sever my soul from your love.
My name from the palms of your hands,
eternity will not erase.
Impressed on your heart it remains
in marks of indelible grace.
Yes I, to the end, will endure,
until I bow down at your throne.
Forever and always secure,
a debtor to mercy, alone.
Add the newer “I Will Glory in My Redeemer” and “The Look”, a remade “Praise God” and all others and I can listen to these songs over and over again. In fact, I do.
