John Newton – Amazing Grace

One of the most widely known hymns for the last two centuries, John Newton’s Amazing Grace appeared in over 11,000 separate album releases, with an estimated 10 million performances annually.  To understand the thrust of this song, let us delve into a short history lesson.

John Newton was born in London in 1725 to a Puritan mother and sea captain father, he was an irresponsible drinker, serving aboard the slave skip, Pegasus.  On one particular voyage home, he was caught in a terrible storm off the coast of Ireland, nearly sinking his ship.  During his tumult, Newton prayed to God for help and an unusual event unfolded: the hole in the ship’s hull miraculously filled with cargo!  This allowed Newton to safely escape the storm and drift to safety, marking the first step in his eventual conversion to Christianity and a slow journey towards perfection.

Sadly, Newton continued to sell slaves after his conversion; However, a stroke in 1754 caused him to retire.  For the next ten years, he invested money into the slave trade business for profit and in 1764, was ordained an Anglican priest. During his entire priesthood, he wrote 280 hymns, including the now famous Amazing Grace in 1772.  It was published anonymously in 1779 under the title Olney Hymns.

In 1788, he renounces his former profession as a slave trader, publishing a pamphlet entitled “Thoughts Upon the Slave Trade”, which describes the disturbing details of the slave trade and conditions of ships.  He publically apologized for his involvement, influencing William Wilberforce to abolish slavery in 1807 in Great Britain.

The 2006 film Amazing Grace depicts some of these events, a movie I myself have never seen.  Time to update my Netflix queue!

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1. What message does the song communicate?

The meaning behind this song is the Gospel message: we were people who were spiritually blind, wretches, wicked in our innermost being, and separated from God.  It is through the grace of God that one can find their way home to God.

The rest of the verses explain the benefits of God’s grace: it teaches us to revere God, it enables us to face our fears, it is precious, it can carry us through dangerous situations, defends us, and bring us to eternal life with Jesus.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

All of it lines up with the Word of God. Since this song exists under public domain, there are no copyright issues.  Yay!

Since there are no verses, I designated stanzas for each section.

[Stanza 1]

Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
that saved a wretch like me!

Grace, meaning “undeserved favor”, is a major theme within the entire Bible.  For the sake of brevity, I will only mention two characters: Abraham and Paul.

Abraham is a major historical figure whose righteousness was credited to him by grace through faith, as quoted in Genesis (Genesis 15:6) and three times in the New Testament (Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6, and James 2:23).

As for Paul, grace is a major theme throughout his writings, particularly in the book of Romans.  See Romans 3:21-24, Romans 4:3-8, Romans 5:1-2, Romans 5:6-8, Romans 5:15-21, Romans 6:14, Romans 8:1-4, Romans 9:14-16, Romans 11:5-6, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 5:4, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:4-9, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, Titus 2:11, and 1 Timothy 1:15-16 for further study.

For those who care to know, the word “wretch” has two definitions:

1. A miserable, unhappy person; and
2. A vile, despicable person.

I think both fit, in light of Jeremiah 17:9.

I once was lost, but now am found,

Refers to the three parables Jesus told in response to the Pharisees and Scribes grumbling saying “Jesus receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:1-2).  These are:

1. The parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7),
2. The parable of the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10); and
3. The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).

was blind, but now I see.

Most likely, spiritual blindness. See 2 Kings 6:17, Luke 24:31, John 3:3, John 9:39, Acts 26:12-18, 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, 2 Corinthians 4:6, and Ephesians 1:18.

[Stanza 2]

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

Fear, meaning “deep reverence and respect”.  The Bible teaches us, in no particular order, that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of:

1. Wisdom (Job 28:28, Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 15:33, and Isaiah 33:6)
2. Knowledge (Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 2:5, and Isaiah 33:6)
3. Prolonged life (Psalm 34:8-14, Proverbs 10:27, Proverbs 14:27, and Proverbs 19:23)
4. Salvation (Isaiah 33:6)
5. Confidence (Job 4:6 and Proverbs 14:26)
6. Blessing (Psalm 112:1 and Psalm 128:1-4)
7. Hatred of evil (Proverbs 8:13)
8. Cleansing from sin/Righteousness (Exodus 20:20, Psalm 19:9, Proverbs 14:2, and Proverbs 23:17)
9. Wonder (Psalm 33:8-9)
10. Obedience (Deuteronomy 14:23 and Colossians 3:22)

Newton’s point is that God’s undeserved favor taught him deep reverence and respect for God.

and grace my fears relieved;

Though it sounds like Newton equivocates on the word “fear”, it carries a different meaning in a different context.  This type of fear refers to being afraid,  God is on a rescue mission for our souls.  He will always be with us.  He will not leave us or forsake us.  We have nothing to be afraid of.  See Genesis 15:1, Joshua 1:9, Deuteronomy 31:6, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 34:4, Psalm 56:3-4, Psalm 94:19, Psalm 115:11, Psalm 118:6, Isaiah 35:4, Isaiah 41:10-13, Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 54:4, John 14:25-27, Romans 8:15, Romans 8:38-39, 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 13:5-6, 1 Peter 3:13-14, 1 Peter 5:6-7, and 1 John 4:18.

how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!

The Kingdom of heaven, according to the words of Jesus, is comparable to a treasure hidden in a field, or pearl of great price, one where a merchant sold everything he had just to have it (Matthew 13:44-46).

[Stanza 3]

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far,

No doubt based on his own personal experiences as a sailor, he has found safety and security within Christ, the One who offers rest to the weary (Matthew 11:28-30).  See Psalm 66:8-12, Acts 14:22, Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, and 1 Peter 1:5-9.

and grace will lead me home.

That is, the place that Jesus is preparing for us (John 14:1-3, Revelation 21:1-27, and Revelation 22:1-9 ).

[Stanza 4]

The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;

God can promise good because He is good (1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 23:6, Psalm 27:13, Psalm 31:19-20, Psalm 34:8, Psalm 86:5, Psalm 100:5, Psalm 106:1, Psalm 119:68, Psalm 135:3, Psalm 136:1, Psalm 145:9, Lamentations 3:25, Nahum 1:7, Matthew 19:17, Mark 10:18, and Luke 18:19).  He also demonstrated His goodness to those who are His through action (Exodus 33:19, Psalm 13:6, Psalm 23:6, Psalm 27:13, Psalm 31:19, Psalm 34:8, Psalm 84:11, Psalm 100:5, Psalm 107:1, Psalm 118:29, Psalm 119:68, Psalm 145:9, Matthew 7:11, Mark 10:18, Luke 11:13, Luke 18:19, Romans 2:4, Philippians 1:6, James 1:17, and 1 Peter 2:1-3).

he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

There are two major themes described in this line: God as protector and God as our portion.  Both occur under the condition of the endurance of life, succinctly captured in Psalm 23:1-6 and finds application in Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4.

First, God is our protector.  In my studies of the Word of God, I found three common words that all describe the first theme: shield, protection, and fortress.  From Abraham, to Moses, to you and me, God is in the business of protecting those who are His from evil (see Genesis 15:1, Deuteronomy 33:29, Ruth 2:12, 2 Samuel 22:3, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 5:11, Psalm 12:5, Psalm 18:2, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 20:1, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 28:7, Proverbs 30:5, Psalm 32:7, Psalm 33:20, Psalm 34:19-22, Psalm 41:2, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 57:1, Psalm 59:1, Psalm 61:3, Psalm 84:11, Psalm 89:18, Psalm 91:1-16, Psalm 115:9, Psalm 118:8, Psalm 121:1-8, Psalm 138:7, Psalm 140:4, Proverbs 18:10, Proverbs 30:5, Isaiah 41:10, Nahum 1:7, 1 Corinthians 10:13, and 2 Thessalonians 3:3, and 1 John 5:18).  Yes, there are cases where God allows evil to occur, yet, God can bring about good things through evil deeds, eloquently captured in Genesis 50:20.

Second, God is our portion.  in Him we inherit the kingdom of God, as adopted sons and daughters (John 1:12-13, John 14:18, Romans 8:14-17, Romans 8:23, Romans 9:1-8, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:5-7, Ephesians 1:3-14, Ephesians 2:11-22, Hebrews 9:15, and 1 John 3:1-3).  Also, see Psalm 16:5, Psalm 73:26, Psalm 119:57, Psalm 142:5, and Lamentations 3:24.

[Stanza 5]

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.

An often ignored stanza in various iterations, it describes the incomprehensible life that we have with God upon physical death (see Matthew 25:46, Luke 23:43, John 3:16, John 5:24, John 11:25-26, John 14:1-6, Romans 6:23, Romans 14:8, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, Philippians 3:20-21, Revelation 20:1-6, Revelation 21:1-27, and Revelation 22:1-5)

[Stanza 6]

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
the sun forbear to shine;
but God, who called me here below,
will be forever mine.

The earth will pass away, but God will not (Matthew 24:35, Luke 21:33, Revelation 6:14, Revelation 20:11, and Revelation 21:1).  Possession of God ties in with the 5th stanza.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Given the overtly religious overtone, the mention of the Lord, the theme of grace saving wretched people, and several centuries of well-known religious usage, it would be astronomically foolish for any unbeliever to think that Amazing Grace could have original intent in something other than Christianity.  Most have not read or heard all the verses; however, everyone remotely familiar with this song can probably recite the first one.  It serves as a universal Gospel outreach to the lost.

The key missing element is an explanation of how one may receive God’s grace.  This song may inspire many to search the answer within the Scripture (see Mark 1:14-15, Matthew 10:32-33, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9-10, 1 Corinthians 12:3, Philippians 2:11, 1 John 4:2-3) or ask a Christian; However, it does not spell it out for us.

Score: 8/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Charles Darwin.  Kidding!  It obviously glorifies God, particularly, within our transformation from spiritual blindness to salvation, relationship with Him, safety found in Him, and humungous emphasis on the power, splendor, and effect of His grace.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

John Newton probably did not know that one of his 280 hymns, Amazing Grace, would have such universal appeal and outreach.  It has been played and sung at churches, political events, football games, malls, and from united states presidents.  Unsurprisingly, it receives high marks for its biblical accuracy, its plethora of Bible references, its evangelistic effort, and glorification of God.  Although it does not explain how one can receive salvation, It is truly a masterpiece.  Many will sing, play, and hear this beloved classic for centuries to come.

If only people thought about the words…

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: Amazing Grace (listen to a Celtic rendition of this song)

Artist: John Newton

Album: N/A

Genre: Hymn

Release Year: 1779

Duration: N/A

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

Updates:

03/23/2022 – Updated commentary to “I once was lost, but now am found” in Verse 1.  Merriam-Webster recently updated their definition of prodigal to include “one who has returned after an absence”, which was originally a mandela effect.