With a musical journey that has crisscrossed all kinds of rock music, folk music, and electronic music, he carries a songwriting sense that aims to capture dense images of life with God,
in compositions that can be carried with the listener. He aims to tell the old story of the Gospel in an ever-shifting world, without resorting to easy truisms, or lazy language. His new collection of songs, The Bright Sadness, echoes a journey pressed to the chest of God, joyful and sorrowful at once, with God's heart clear and pulsing in each note and word. It wraps liturgy with the unexpected, and daily mundanity with daily surprise.
As many of the Passion collegiate gatherings were recorded live, Hall was quickly dubbed "a voice" for the Passion movement, performing on all eight Passion albums, which have sold more than one million units.
Charlie expresses the desire to be "honed into God, where I'm not part of a culture where I'm trying to make the people around me think, 'Hey, that's a good Christian.' I'm just trying to pursue God and not pursue being accepted into a club...I'm more honed into my pursuit of God in Christ and how he's forming me and changing and helping me love him and know him.
Renewing and encouraging local churches, engaging young and old with social justice action, widening hearts to see God at work in the whole world, spurring local artists on to imaginative and creative expression, and offering songs of rest to those who are simply tired are some of the hopes of Charlie, and his band of gypsies. Hall's band, in which he performs vocals and guitar, consists of Kendall Combes (electric guitar), Brian Bergman (keyboard), Dustin Ragland (drums), and Quint Anderson (bass guitar).
Rock Of Ages
Charlie Hall Lyrics
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Let the water and the blood, from Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure, save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labor of my hands can fulfill the law̢۪s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone
You resurrect and You redeem, You alone save me
Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath, when my eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown, See thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.
You alone save me, Brokenness is all I bring
You resurrect and You redeem, You alone save me
The lyrics of "Rock of Ages" by Charlie Hall express the desperation of the human soul for salvation and the recognition that this can only be achieved through God's grace. The first stanza portrays the yearning for refuge and protection in God, as the writer seeks to "hide" in Him. The second stanza emphasizes the impossibility of human efforts to earn salvation as the writer acknowledges that only Christ's sacrifice on the cross can fully atone for sin. The third stanza depicts the writer's utter dependence on God's mercy and grace, as he comes to Him naked and helpless, seeking cleansing from all sin. Finally, the writer acknowledges the inevitability of death and judgment, placing his trust in the "Rock of Ages" to save him.
The song's message is a powerful reminder of the fundamental truth that salvation cannot be earned through human effort or merit; it is solely a gift of God's grace. The lyrics thus resonate with Christians who recognize the depravity of their own hearts and understand the depth of their need for a savior. The song's simple melody and powerful message have made it a beloved hymn among Christians.
Line by Line Meaning
Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee
My refuge lies in you, oh Rock of Ages, the one who has cleft the rock for me to hide. I come to You for safety, to find refuge from the storms of life.
Let the water and the blood, from Thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure, save from wrath and make me pure.
May the water and blood that flowed from Your wounded side signify the purification and cleansing from sin, providing a twofold cure. Save me from the wrath to come and cleanse me so that I may be pure in Your sight.
Not the labor of my hands can fulfill the law's demands; could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone
No work of my own doing can ever fulfill the righteous demands of the law. Even if I were to try my hardest to be perfect, I couldn't ever fully atone for my sin. It is only through You that salvation can come, for You alone can make the ultimate payment for sin.
You alone save me, brokenness is all I bring
I understand that You are the only one who can save me. I bring nothing except my brokenness to You, knowing that only Your grace can heal my wounds.
You resurrect and You redeem, You alone save me
Only You can resurrect me from death to eternal life, and only You can redeem me from the bondage of sin. Only through You can I be saved.
Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling; naked, come to thee for dress; helpless, look to thee for grace; foul, I to the fountain fly, wash me, Savior, or I die.
I come to You with empty hands, not bringing any good works or righteousness of my own. I simply cling to the cross and rely entirely on Your grace. I come to You naked, needing You to clothe me. I come helpless, needing You to give me strength. My sins are foul, but I flee to You, the fountain of life, asking to be washed and cleansed, for without Your help, I am as good as dead.
While I draw this fleeting breath, when my eyes shall close in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, See thee on thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.
During my short time on this earth, I know that my life will come to an end, and my soul will leave this world for a realm beyond. When I face judgment, I pray that I will see You, my Rock of Ages, seated on the throne of grace. I will hide myself in You, for Your love and mercy will remain forever.
Contributed by Gabriella V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.