My Hope is Built on Nothing Less

In 1834, Edward Mote, a pastor from England, was walking to work when a sudden inspiration struck him. He felt compelled to write a hymn that would reflect the “Gracious Experience of a Christian.” As he walked, the lines of a chorus formed in his mind: “On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.” By the end of the day, Mote had drafted four complete verses and carried them home in his pocket. That same week, he visited a friend whose wife was gravely ill. As they prepared to sing hymns together, they realized they had no hymnal available. Mote offered to share the verses he had just written. The words resonated so deeply with the ailing woman that she requested a copy for herself. Mote returned home, completed two additional verses, and sent the hymn off to be published. In a letter, he remarked that since the verses had brought such comfort to a dying woman, he felt moved to print one thousand copies for distribution.

The text of “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” originally included six stanzas. Over time, most modern hymnals have streamlined the text to four commonly sung stanzas. Typically, the first stanza used today is a rearranged combination of the opening lines from the first two original verses. The final stanza is often drawn from Mote’s sixth verse, though the first line has been revised from “When I shall launch in worlds unseen” to “When he shall come with trumpet sound.” These edits help to emphasize Christ’s second coming and the believer’s eternal hope. The core message of the hymn remains unchanged: believers cannot rely on their own righteousness or strength but must place their full trust in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

The tune most often associated with this hymn is titled Solid Rock. It was composed by William B. Bradbury and published in 1864, specifically for Mote’s text. Bradbury, a well-known composer of many enduring hymn tunes, crafted a melody that is both memorable and accessible. Solid Rock is particularly effective for congregational singing, with its rhythmic structure reinforcing the confidence and stability found in Christ alone. However, the tune’s opening phrase can sometimes cause rhythmical confusion when used in contemporary worship settings that include a rhythm section or percussion. Some musicians have chosen to pair Mote’s lyrics with alternative tunes, such as “When Trials Come” by Keith and Kristyn Getty, which lends the hymn a fresh, modern feel. A notable arrangement that includes a fiddle interlude was created by Ben Dykstra at Calvin College and performed at the Calvin Worship Symposium in 2011.

“My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” is versatile in worship planning. It may be used as an opening hymn of praise, a declaration of trust following confession and assurance of pardon, or a heartfelt response after Scripture reading or sermon. Its powerful theme of standing firm in Christ makes it suitable for times of reflection, trial, or commitment. A beautiful companion piece is the Swahili hymn “Kwake Yesu Nasimama,” which translates to “Here on Jesus Christ I Will Stand.” This global chorus complements the theological foundation of Mote’s hymn and can be used to reflect the unity of believers across cultures.

In addition to congregational use, the hymn has inspired various instrumental and choral arrangements. For example, the Celebration Hymnal includes a striking piano arrangement for the final verse and an optional choral ending. Other musical resources include Daniel Kallman’s setting of the text to the tune Melita, Matt Hyzer’s contemporary piano arrangements, Douglas Smith’s instrumental collection for trombone, and Wilbur Held’s organ preludes based on gospel hymns. Each of these helps to expand the musical potential of this beloved hymn and invites worshipers into deeper reflection on the firm foundation we have in Jesus Christ.