Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Amazing Grace

A week or so ago there was a discussion about this song on a message board I visit.
Then this past Sunday we sang it at church!!
WIkipedia has a bit of the songs history.

In her novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe includes an extra, final verse which may have been taken from another hymn:

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’ve first begun.

This additional verse is credited by some to John P. Rees (1828-1900) and became firmly established as part of the hymn from the early twentienth century, appearing in many hymnals.

And here's the song:
"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.

John New­ton, Ol­ney Hymns (Lon­don: W. Ol­i­ver, 1779)
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2 Corinthians 12:9

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

John 1:16

16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.

Acts 20:24,32

24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting this. I shared the you tube I posted on the board with AK twice. She's too young to get it, but I wanted her to hear it.

Tracy said...

Thank you for sharing those beautiful words, both in scripture and song. What an encouragement this morning!
Blessings,
Tracy

Denise said...

Thanks for sharing this, bless you.