An interesting blog post informed me that my favorite verse, the seventh, was actually not penned by John Newton. I agree that it was a fitting conclusion to this beautiful hymn, don't you?
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
Thanks for the several things I learned all at one time, Brad! Jill & I have always said when the Hymns of Zion gets revised (smile), we need to be sure to include what, in our minds, was verse 5, which is also our favorite. I didn't know there were 7 verses until now. And I appreciate the link to the blog - it'll be such a nice compliment to my deep appreciation for music.
ReplyDeleteWe go to church with a dear brother that gives this hymn very regularly, probably every other Sunday on average. It has deep meaning to him, similar in vein to what John Newton experienced when he wrote it, and every time he announces it, I'm reminded of my personal experience of "how precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed".