Amazing Grace!

Possibly the most well know of all Christian hymns is “Amazing Grace”! It is instantly recognized by people the world over and even many secular, non-Christians can sing it with ease. This is due in no small part to the fact that it has been popularised by many well known singers like Elvis Presley, Joan Baez, The Byrds, Judy Collins, Willie Nelson, Aretha Franklin and Rod Stewart. The song appears in many movies, from Star Trek to The Coal Miners Daughter. It was even sung at the first Wood Stock concert in 1969 by Arlo Guthrie!

But despite it’s widespread popularity it’s origins are not so well known. It was composed by a man named John Newton between 1760 and 1770 and was originally just a poem, and it although it wasn’t sung, it was chanted by church goers in England during services.

Since then it was put to many different tunes but in 1885 it was sung to the tune of a melody called “New Britain” which is the version we know and love so much today.

I think what has made this song so popular for so long is that it really highlights the fact that there is redemptive hope for all mankind through the grace of God. It speaks to peoples hearts and lets them know that no matter what state their soul is in right now, they have a way forward, a way out of their seemingly hopeless situation! And in these very difficult times, who doesn’t need a message like that?

Here are the original lyrics from the 1779 edition of “Olney Hymns” printed in England:

Amazing Grace
Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav’d 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 reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ’d!

Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promis’d good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yes, 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 call’d me here below,
Will be forever mine.

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye,
always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”
2 Corinthians 9:8 (KJV)