Maranatha! Music was founded in 1971 by Chuck Smith Sr. of Calvary Chapel t… Read Full Bio ↴Maranatha! Music was founded in 1971 by Chuck Smith Sr. of Calvary Chapel to promote the “Jesus Music” his young hippie followers were writing and singing up and down the California coast. In the early years, Maranatha! Music signed artists because of their passionate profession of faith through music. These songs became the seminal calling card of the worship music genre of that time and belonged to the Maranatha! song catalog. Back then, these songs were on the fringe of what the established church felt was appropriate for church music but they were being sung by millions of young people around the world.

Cornerstone
Maranatha! Music Lyrics

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My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly trust in Jesus name

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

When Darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all
He is Lord
Lord of all

Christ alone
Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;

Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless stand before the throne.

Overall Meaning

The song "Cornerstone" by Maranatha! Music is a powerful declaration of faith in Jesus Christ as the foundation of hope and salvation. The opening lines of the song, "My hope is built on nothing less/Than Jesus' blood and righteousness," emphasize the centrality of Jesus to the singer's personal faith. The singer acknowledges that no material object, human relationship, or personal effort can provide the same assurance as the redeeming sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

The second stanza reinforces this message, asserting that even in dark times, the Christian can rely on the unchanging grace of Jesus as an anchor that holds fast through life's turbulent "high and stormy gale[s]." Christ alone is the cornerstone of the singer's faith, the source of strength when the believer is weak, a loving lord during the storms of life. The final stanza anticipates the coming of Jesus again, when the singer hopes to be found clothed in Christ's righteousness, blameless and ready to be in the presence of God.

Overall, the lyrics to "Cornerstone" are a reminder of the centrality of Jesus for Christian faith and hope. The verses describe Jesus as the foundation of salvation, the anchor that holds during life's storms, and the source of strength and righteousness for the believer. The song encourages Christians to put their trust entirely in Jesus and to find hope and comfort in his grace and love.

Line by Line Meaning

My hope is built on nothing less
My confidence and trust are founded upon nothing other than Jesus.

Than Jesus blood and righteousness
Specifically, my hope is built upon Jesus' sacrifice for me and His perfect righteousness as my substitute.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame
I do not trust in anything created or temporary, no matter how appealing or desirable it may seem.

But wholly trust in Jesus name
Rather, I place all of my trust in Jesus' name, character, and authority.

Christ alone; cornerstone
Jesus is the only foundation and cornerstone upon which my life and faith are anchored.

Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the love and salvation of Jesus, I am strengthened in my weakness.

Through the storm, He is Lord
Even in life's trials and difficulties, Jesus remains the Lord and ruler of all.

Lord of all
Jesus is not only my personal Lord and Savior, but the ultimate Lord and ruler of all creation.

When Darkness seems to hide His face
When I cannot perceive or feel Jesus' presence or guidance, especially during difficult times,

I rest on His unchanging grace
I rely on His unchanging grace and mercy that are not dependent on my circumstances or feelings.

In every high and stormy gale
Whether in times of prosperity or adversity,

My anchor holds within the veil
My faith remains anchored and secure in the inner sanctuary of God's presence.

Christ alone
Again emphasizing that Jesus is the sole source of hope, salvation, and security for the Christian.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Looking forward to the future return of Jesus, which is guaranteed and announced by the prophesied sounding of a trumpet.

Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Desiring to be found in Jesus and His righteousness when that day comes.

Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Fully covered and adorned with the perfect righteousness of Jesus as my only means of acceptance before God.

Faultless stand before the throne.
Able to stand before God's throne without any fault or guilt, because of my faith and trust in Jesus.

Contributed by Kaylee I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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