My hope is built on nothing less, found in SS&S 902, written by Edward Mote (1979-1874)
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” is a Christian hymn written by Edward Mote, a pastor at Rehoboth Baptist Church in Horsham, West Sussex. Mote wrote around 100 hymns, this one, which he wrote in 1834, being the best known of his.
| My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less | |
|---|---|
| Hymn | |
Edward Mote
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| Text | Edward Mote |
| Meter | 8.8.8.8 with refrain |
| Melody | “Solid Rock” by William B. Bradbury |
| Composed | 1863 |
| Published | 1837 |
The hymn “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” was published anonymously in several hymn collections before first being attributed to Edward Mote in a collection of approximately 100 of his hymns published in 1837 under the title Hymns of Praise, A New Selection of Gospel Hymns, Combining All the Excellencies of our Spiritual Poets, with Many Originals. Mote’s original title was “The Immutable Basis for a Sinner’s Hope” in this collection.
The refrain of “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” refers to the Parable of the Wise and the Foolish Builders and builds around the metaphor of Christ as a rock with a firm basis in Scripture (1 Corinthians 10:4).
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
“My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” is part of the gospel hymns genre. The first stanza declare’s God’s grace; stanzas 2 and 3 concern the application of that grace in times of trouble. In the final stanza, Mote brings his hymn full circle with the ultimate realization of God’s grace.
The lyrics vary somewhat among various hymnals, but customarily the phraseology adheres to Mote’s original.
The hymn became very popular and has been subject of many interpretations and covers.(Wikipedia)
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Lyric
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
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.
3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
And my name is Hope!