The Christian Sunday School Hymnal ‎#40

40. The Rock and the Sand

1 On what are you building, my brother,
Your hopes of an eternal home?
Is it loose, shifting sand, or the firm, solid rock,
You are trusting for ages to come?

Refrain:
Hearing and doing, we build on the rock;
Hearing alone, we build on the sand;
Both will be tried by the storm and the flood;
Only the rock the trial will stand.

2 On one or the other, my brother,
You're building your hopes day by day;
You are risking your soul on the works that you do;
Will the dark waters sweep you away? [Refrain]

3 Your Savior has warned you, my brother,
I pray you give heed to his voice;
There is life on the rock, but there's death on the sand;
O my brother, pray tell me your choice. [Refrain]

4 No matter how careful, my brother,
The sand for your house you prepare,
'Twill be all swept away when the floods shall descend,
Leaving nothing but death and despair. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: On what are you building, my brother
• Title: The Rock and the Sand
• Author: H. R. Trickett
• Refrain First Line: Hearing and doing, we build on the rock
• Publication Date: 1883
• Scripture:
  Matthew 7:24

Tune Information

• Name: [On what are you building, my brother]
• Composer: J. H. Rosecrans