Amazing Grace
Faith's Review and Expectation by John Newton
- Based on 1 Chronicles 17:16–17
- As appeared in Olney Hymns, 1779
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.
[The following verse was added in Collection of Sacred Ballads, 1790:]
- 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 first begun.
Also available as an audio file: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/AmazingGrace.MID