1 O, may the house you build,
Be on the firm rock founded,
And then it ne'er shall move,
When by the storm surrounded;
Tho' winds and floods may rage,
Their pow'r shall shake it never,
'Tis founded on a rock,
And so shall stand forever.

Refrain:
For Christ, the living rock alone
shall be our sure foundation
Our hope, our strength, our safe retreat,
The rock of our salvation.

2 But if upon the sand,
You build your future dwelling,
'Twill surely yield and fall,
When floods are round it swelling;
For shifting sand can make,
A firm foundation never,
And when the storm shall come,
Your house will fall forever. [Refrain]

3 Then build, O build your hopes,
Upon the rock of Ages,
And you shall never fear,
Howe'er the tempest rages;
For Christ the Lord shall be
Our ever sure foundation,
Our strength, our safe retreat,
The rock of our salvation. [Refrain]