The Rock That Doesn't Roll

He was too rocky for church and too churchy for rock radio, but Larry Norman was a pioneer of what is now called Contemporary Christian Music. There was no "industry" for it back in the late 60s and early 70s. It was simply known as Jesus Music.

And other than the 1973 Imperials Live album, wherein a Southern Gospel group successfully constructed a bridge between "Beulah Land" and "Jesus Made Me Higher", Larry Norman's album, In Another Land, was my personal introduction to music that sounded like 70's radio, but spoke of things of the Spirit.

I was led to think about Norman the other day when I saw the following picture posted on Facebook with the caption, "WHAT'S THE FIRST SONG YOU WOULD PLAY ON THESE SPEAKERS?"

My answer was The Rock That Doesn't Roll, by Larry Norman:

I was lost and blind 'til a friend of mine

Came and took me by the hand.

Then He led me to His kingdom

That was in another land.

Now my life is changed, it's rearranged.

When I think of my past, I feel so strange.

Wowie, zowie, well He saved my soul.

He's the rock that doesn't roll.

He's the rock that doesn't roll.

He's the rock that doesn't roll.

He's good for the body and great for the soul.

He's the rock that doesn't roll.

I was all alone like a rolling stone,

I was going nowhere fast.

I was on the road so far from home

When the future touched my past.

Now I feel so blessed 'cause He gave me a rest

And I finally feel like I've passed the test.

I wanna be like Him, yes, that's my goal

Like a rock that doesn't roll.

He's the rock that doesn't roll...

I was lost and blind 'til a friend of mine

Came and took me by the hand.

Then He led me to His kingdom

That was in another land.

Now my mind is blown, my head has grown

A solid rock ain't a rolling stone,

Wowie, zowie, well the cat's got soul.

He's the rock that doesn't roll.

He's the rock that doesn't roll...

You got to rock me on the water

You got to rock me from my grave.

You got to rock me 'til I'm feeling good,

You got to rock me 'til I'm, rock me 'til I'm saved.

©1976 Beechwood Music Corp./J.C. Love Publishing Co.

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Truth is...It's pretty nice when a Scriptural concept has a good beat and is easy to dance to.

There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. (I Samuel 2:2)

My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior (2 Samuel 22:3)

But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge. (Psalm 94:22)