<Tr> <Th> Meter </Th> <Td> 7.7. 7.7. 7.7 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Melody </Th> <Td> "Toplady" by Thomas Hastings </Td> </Tr> <P> "Rock of Ages" is a popular Christian hymn by the Reverend Augustus Toplady written in 1763 and first published in The Gospel Magazine in 1775 . </P> <P> Traditionally, it is held that Toplady drew his inspiration from an incident in the gorge of Burrington Combe in the Mendip Hills in England . Toplady, a preacher in the nearby village of Blagdon, was travelling along the gorge when he was caught in a storm . Finding shelter in a gap in the gorge, he was struck by the title and scribbled down the initial lyrics . </P>

Who wrote the hymn rock of ages cleft for me