Lord’s Day, Vol. 6 No. 27
The Solid Rock
– Revival Hymns and Chorus No. 317
Hymnologist suggests 1 Corinthians 3:11 as the basis for this hymn: 11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.(1 Cor. 3:11 KJV)
Bishop Bickersteth an outstanding hymnist, called it “a grand hymn of faith.” “The Solid Rock” as this hymn was called, was written in 1834 and first published anonymously in leaflet form and in various papers. In 1836 it appeared in Mr. Mote’s Hymns of Praise and was entitled “The Immutable Basis of a Sinner’s Hope.” When arguments began to arise about the authorship, Mr. Mote decided to acknowledge the words as his own.
The chorus and stanza 1 of the hymn came to Mr. Mote as he was on his way to work. He says, “I began to meditate on “the gracious experience of a Christian.” Soon the chorus, and then the first stanza, came into my mind. On the following Sunday, as I came out of Lisle Street meeting, Brother King invited me to his home to try to encourage his critically ill wife. I had early tea that day; then I went to the King’s home.
Mr King said, “Before I go to a meeting I always sing a hymn, read Scripture, and pray. Will you join me?” He searched in vain for a hymnbook. I said, “I have some verses in my pocket, Brother King. If you like, we can sing them.” Mrs King’s heart responded to the words, and Mr. King asked me to leave a copy with her. Back at home, I sat by the fireside, musing upon Mrs King’s reaction to the hymn; and soon the entire hymn was clear in my mind. I committed the words to paper, making a fresh copy for Mrs. King. Later the thought came to me that as these verses had met this dying woman’s needs, perhaps they would help someone else. So I had a thousand leaflets printed for distribution.”