ROCK OF AGES, SAFE IN THEE.
WHILE upon life's heaving ocean, foam-crest billows rise and fall,
Passion's tempests beat around us, lightning shafts our hearts befall;
And before us fiery trials burden o'er life's troubled sea,
Keep us through the trying ordeal, Rock of Ages, safe in Thee. Weak I am, but thou art able all my sorrow to assuage.
Thou canst cleanse the blotted sin-drops from life's dark and checkered page;
When I err through folly wandering, thy blest precepts may I see,
Leading me in wisdom's pathway, Rock of Ages, safe to Thee. Oft our courage fails, and trembling we despair in mazes dark,
And forget that there is succor for the weak in mercy's ark;
But when, Peter-like, we're sinking in the surges of the sea,
Take us by the hand and lead us, Rock of Ages, safe to Thee. Earth's decaying; moss-grown tombstones fill the vales and mountains hoar;
Nations rise, but soon they perish, gone like breakers on the shore;
Beauty fades and riches perish, all is fleeting that I see.
Fix me on a sure foundation, Rock of Ages, safe on Thee. Last day perils thicken round us, lust pollutes the worldling's heart,
And the moral air is murky, all of earth is drear and dark;
But beyond earth's deep pollution, realms of purity I see,
May we there find rest forever, Rock of Ages, rest in Thee.
—Unknown.