Amazing Grace
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What the hymn says
This hymn tells a story of profound personal rescue and undeserved kindness. The stanzas trace a journey from spiritual blindness and danger to a state of peace and clear sight. It speaks of a protection that helps people through difficult days and offers a steady hope that lasts far beyond mortal life. The song holds together through its focus on unmerited favor that rescues the humble and lifts up the broken.
The author spent years as a sailor and a captain in the slave trade before undergoing a dramatic change of heart and becoming a clergyman. He wrote these words to accompany a New Year sermon in seventeen seventy-nine to mark his own spiritual turning point. Knowing his background helps explain why the themes of rescue and pardon run so deep in the text, turning personal remorse into a timeless expression of relief.
The story behind it
Written by John Newton in seventeen seventy-nine, the hymn first appeared in print in the Olney Hymns collection. It spread slowly at first, gaining immense popularity in nineteenth-century America when it was paired with the familiar tune known as New Britain. Today it stands as one of the most widely sung compositions in the English language, cherished across many different traditions.
Four things to notice
- Notice how the opening lines describe an unexpected kindness that rescues a person from spiritual darkness.
- Observe the reference to dangers and toils, which acknowledges the real difficulties of human life.
- Pay attention to the promise of a future lasting millions of years without end.
- Consider how the final stanza looks back on humble beginnings from a place of enduring peace.
The text
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 has 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.
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 for ever mine.
Text: Olney Hymns (1840 edition), Book I, Hymn 41 — proofread transcription of the scanned page on Wikisource: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Olney_Hymns_(1840)/Book_1/Hymn_41 . Cross-checked against the modern-spelling representative text at hymnary.org/text/amazing_grace_how_sweet_the_sound (same six stanzas, same wording; that edition differs only in punctuation and initial capitals). John Newton wrote the hymn for his 1 January 1773 New Year's Day sermon and published it in Olney Hymns, 1779.
Public domain worldwide. John Newton wrote these words in 1773 and published them in 1779; every copyright term that could ever have applied expired long ago. You may copy, print and reprint the text freely, with or without attribution.
Scriptures behind the words
Verses on grace, mercy and sight — printed verbatim from the public-domain King James Version and World English Bible.
- Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
- Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
- 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- Psalms 103:8
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
- John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
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