Who Stole Edward Mote's Hymn Title?

Edward Mote’s famous hymn, “The Solid Rock” is certainly legendary in Christ’s church. Mote was a British Cabinet-maker who penned the hymn while working one day. He later read what he had written at the bedside of an ill friend. Some two years later the hymn was published and the rest is church history. You can read more on Mote and the story behind many of the most famous of the church’s hymns here. My favorite versions of this hymn appear on Vineyard's "Touching the Father's Heart" series #10, Save us oh God, and Charlie Hall's version found on the recent Passion disk, Hymns Ancient & Modern.

The interesting thing to me is that the original title of the hymn was “The Immutable Basis of a Sinner’s Hope.” There are several other claims on the original title, including "The Gracious Experience of a Christian." Granted, "The Immutable Basis of a Sinner's Hope" is a bit clumsy, but the weight and power of the title is substantial. Perhaps it is regrettable to simplify our language to the point of a minimal lexicon for our language. The reduction of terminology takes the subtlety, power, grace and style out of language- it loses its flavor when we spurn technical terms for more generic fare. The use of the word "Love" in the English language is a perfect example of our lexical lethargy! Theological words in the contemporary church are especially frowned upon – even Biblical terms such as justification, sanctification and glorification. We should celebrate the language of the church and teach it to young disciples and hold to the expectation that these words be understood and appreciated among God’s people. And, as God's people, we will be richer for it. And we should rally to restore Mote’s hymn to its original title!

So, on that note, here is Edward Motes’ “The Immutable Basis of a Sinner’s Hope”

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

When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil

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

When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faithful to stand before the throne