Edward Mote was a hard working cabinet maker, and at 34 he opened his own shop. He also enjoyed writing articles and poems. As he walked to work one morning, he developed this chorus. Upon arriving at his shop, he gave instructions to his workers, and then slipped into his office to pen the words. He wrote four verses that day, and then later added two more verses before the poem was finished. He gave his local newspaper a report of the account of this hymn The Solid Rock it said: "One morning it came into my mind as I went to labor, to write an hymn on the "Gracious experience of a Christian." As I went up Holborn I had the chorus, 'On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.' In the day, I had the first four verses complete, and wrote them off. On the Sabbath following, I met Brother King as I came out of the Lisle Street Meeting who informed me that his wife was very ill, and asked me to call and see her. I had an early tea and called afterwards. He said that it was his usual custom to sing a hymn, read a portion, and engage in prayer, before he went to the meeting. He looked for his hymnbook, but could find it nowhere. I said, 'I have some verses in my pocket; if you like, we could sing them.' We did, and his wife enjoyed them so much that after the service he asked me, as a favor, to leave a copy of them for his wife. I went home, and by the fireside composed the last two verses, wrote them off, and took them to Sister King." The poem was so well received, he printed out 1,000 copies to distribute! The music commonly used with the hymn was written by William B. Bradbury in 1863. An alternative tune sometimes used is "Melita" by John B. Dykes, which is more commonly remembered as the music to "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" or otherwise known as "The Navy Hymn." The hymn states clearly where our faith lies, on the solid rock of Jesus Christ, and His shed blood and righteous life. In a time when change is everywhere, it is a great reminder that we can build our life and hopes on something secure, the solid rock Christ Jesus.
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
Listen to it being sung here. LISTEN
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