Thursday, February 22, 2007

I really want to see Amazing Grace.

The hymn is beloved by just about everyone who knows it. But not everyone knows the story behind John Newton’s beautiful lyrics. This movie tells that story and it is amazing in itself. Knowing the story and taking a new look at the lyrics makes them ring so much more that song of God’s grace.

Amazing Grace
by John Newton

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,
We have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And Grace will lead me home. (Lead me home!)

The Lord hast promised good to me,
His word my hope secures!
He will my shield and portion be,
as long as life endures.

Yea, when this heart and flesh 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 for ever mine.

Many hymnbooks omit one or more of the last three verses, but add the following at the end:

When we’ve been here ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

This verse is not by Newton, but has been attributed to John P. Rees (1828-1900) and was included in a 19th century hymnal, Hymns Of The Christian Life.

My favorite verse is the fourth, which we don’t sing very often. Shame, that.