HIDE THOU ME

          "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."  (Matthew 7:24, 25)  

          Many of us probably remember as children, singing with motions, the chorus about the wise man who built upon the rock and the foolish man who built upon the sand. And we learned that we needed to build our lives on the rock, Jesus, and His teachings.

          For several months I have wanted to write a blog about a similar song, "O Rock of Ages Hide Thou Me".  But I have been frustrated as I've found several very similar songs with the same title and slightly different words.  One of the first of these was written by Theo Harris and L.R.. Tolbert and copyrighted in 1926.  Harris was one of the most prolific African-American hymn writers of the early 2oth century.  Since the 1930s his compositions have been consistently selected for publication in hymnals of various denominations.

          But there is another version of this song which was written by Doyle Lawson  in 1944.  This version was made popular by the Gather Vocal Band and might be the one that is best known to folks today.

          But no matter who actually wrote the song or which version you enjoy, both share that there are times when the burdens of life get so heavy, when the struggles get so hard, when no matter what, we still worry; and we need to cry out to Jesus, "Hide me!" Thankfully we have the divine resource available when we find ourselves in these lowly positions and in need.  Then we can flee to the Rock of Ages where there is security, peace, guidance  and protection.

           David experienced this, "Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance."  Psalm 32:7.

          Is He your Rock, your hiding place?  Have you learned to depend on Him, your Rock of Ages, your strong foundation, your ever present Friend?  No matter how strong the storms of life that we face, He is always there for us to protect us and hide us.

          Here is the version written by Harris and Tolbert.

 

1. Sometimes I feel discouraged, and think my life in vain.

I'm tempted then to murmur, and of my lot complain;

But when I think of Jesus, and all He's done for me,

Then I cry, O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me.

O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me,

No other refuge, have I but Thee.

When life's dark vale I wander, far, far from Thee;

Then, I cry, O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me.

2. Sometimes it seems I dare not go one step farther on,

And from my heart all courage has disappeared and gone;

But, I remember Jesus, and all His love for me,

Then, I cry, O Rock of Ages, hid Thou me.

O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me,

No other refuge, have I but Thee.

When life's dark vale I wander, far, far from Thee;

Then, I cry, O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me.

3. O what a friend is Jesus, sure Anchor for my soul,

So tender, true and gracious, I'm safe in His control;

My help in time of danger, my strong defense is He;

O Thou blessed Rock of Ages, hide Thou me

O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me,

No other refuge, have I but Thee.

When life's dark vale I wander, far, far from Thee;

Then, I cry, O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me.

.

Here is the similar version written by  Doyle Lawson.

Sometimes I feel discouraged….and I think my work in vain….

I'm tempted oft to murmur, to grumble, and complain….

But when I think of Jesus…and what He's done for me…..

Then I cry to the Rock of Ages…Hide Thou me

O Rock of Ages…Hide Thou me…..

There's no other refuge….none can save but Thee…..

Through life's dark vail I wander….so far, far from Thee….

Then I cry to the Rock Of Ages…Hide Thou me…..

I have a friend in Jesus….blest anchor of my soul….

I feel His presence ever….when stormy billows roll…..

And when I think of Jesus…and what He's done for me….

I cry to the Rock of Ages…..hide Thou me

O Rock of Ages…Hide Thou me…..

There's no other refuge….none can save but Thee…..

Through life's dark vail I wander….so far, far from Thee….

Then I cry to the Rock Of Ages…Hide Thou me…..

Sometimes I feel I cannot…go one step farther on…..

My body's growing older….and faltering steps begun….

But when I think of Jesus and what He's done for me….

I cry to the Rock Of Ages….hide Thou me

O Rock of Ages…Hide Thou me…..

There's no other refuge….none can save but Thee…..

Through life's dark vail I wander….so far, far from Thee….

Then I cry to the Rock Of Ages…Hide Thou me…

You can listen to Lawson's version here.  ROCK