In 1767 William Cowper, the poet, moved to Olney. He worshipped in the church, and collaborated with Newton on producing a volume of hymns, which was eventually published as Olney Hymns in 1779. This work was to have a great influence on English hymnology. The volume included Newton’s well-known hymns
“Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken”
“How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds!”
“Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare”
“Approach, My Soul, the Mercy-seat”
and
“Faith’s Review and Expectation”
which came to be known by its opening phrase, “Amazing Grace”.
The lyrics are based on 1 Chronicles 17:16-17, a prayer of King David in which he marvels at God’s choosing him and his house. Newton apparently wrote this for use in a sermon he preached on this passage on New Year’s Day 1773, and for which he left his sermon notes, which correspond to the flow of the lyrics. (He entitled the piece “Faith’s review and expectation.”)
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.
T’was 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 that 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.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
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’ve first begun.
Originally posted 2009-09-18 11:22:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Hi Andy
Last Friday, my parents took us to see the South African Tattoo. Being Scottish, I was so looking forward to hearing the Pipe and brass bands together and was not disappointed as there were 12 bands in total all playing together. At the end of the mostly musical evening, the MC announced the closing hymn would be Amazing Grace. A lone piper started playing and when the rest of the bands joined in, I found myself in the midst of all these thousands of people, in tears. I was suddenly so overwhelmed with our dear Lord’s Amazing Grace in my own life. It got me to thinking that John Newton had no idea how far reaching his words would become way into the future.
Having grown up in a school system where this hymn along with the Lord’s prayer were sung to death and the true meaning of both gets numbed long the way, it was a joy to listen to the music and hear the words in my own heart, and know that without His amazing grace, I would certainly be lost today.
Thank you for sharing this short ‘bio’ of this hymn.
Bless you
Doctrine "By entertaining of strange persons, men sometimes entertain angels unawares; But by entertaining of strange doctrines, many have entertained devils unaware."
Psalms Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
PDF 
Hi Andy
Last Friday, my parents took us to see the South African Tattoo. Being Scottish, I was so looking forward to hearing the Pipe and brass bands together and was not disappointed as there were 12 bands in total all playing together. At the end of the mostly musical evening, the MC announced the closing hymn would be Amazing Grace. A lone piper started playing and when the rest of the bands joined in, I found myself in the midst of all these thousands of people, in tears. I was suddenly so overwhelmed with our dear Lord’s Amazing Grace in my own life. It got me to thinking that John Newton had no idea how far reaching his words would become way into the future.
Having grown up in a school system where this hymn along with the Lord’s prayer were sung to death and the true meaning of both gets numbed long the way, it was a joy to listen to the music and hear the words in my own heart, and know that without His amazing grace, I would certainly be lost today.
Thank you for sharing this short ‘bio’ of this hymn.
Bless you
Hi Steph,
Sounds like an excellent end to the evening.
God bless,
Andy