CHRISTIAN LIFE >> FAITH & TRUST
SDAH 531
We’ll build on the Rock, the living Rock,
On Jesus, the Rock of Ages;
So shall we abide the fearful shock,
When loud the tempest rages.
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For Worship Leaders
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Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
The Sermon on the Mount concludes with the parable that is the theme of this hymn written by Franklin Edson Belden (1858-1945; see Biographies). The hymn appears in Hymns and Tunes, 1886, and is headed by the following quotation: “Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth 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” (Matt. 7:24, 25). Belden printed the word doeth in italics in that book and again when the hymn was printed in Christ in Song, 1900. go The tune, unnamed, was composed by Belden. It is typical of his gospel s in that it has a singable, catchy melody with very simple harmony.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
We’ll build on the Rock, the living Rock,
On Jesus, the Rock of Ages;
So shall we abide the fearful shock,
When loud the tempest rages.
Refrain
We’ll build on the Rock,
We’ll build on the Rock;
We’ll build on the Rock, on the solid Rock,
On Christ, the mighty Rock.
2
Some build on the sinking sands of life,
On visions of earthly treasure;
Some build on the waves of sin and strife,
Of fame, and worldly pleasure.
3
O build on the Rock, for ever sure,
The firm and the true foundation;
Its hope is the hope which shall endure,
The hope of our salvation.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Matt 7:24, 25 (b) Matt 7:26 (c) Isa 28:18 (r) Deut 32:4
Author
Franklin E. Belden (1858-1945)
Year Published
1886
Metrical Number
9.8.9.7.Ref.
Composer
F.E. Belden
Year Composed
1886
