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Christian prayer

Amazing Grace and the great hymns (How Great Thou Art, It Is Well, Be Thou My Vision)

Amazing Grace, from Olney Hymns, with its wording and meaning.

  • 24 verses
  • About 1 minute to recite
  • Amazing Grace and the great hymns
  1. 1

    Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound!)

  2. 2

    That saved a wretch like me!

  3. 3

    I once was lost, but now am found,—

  4. 4

    Was blind, but now I see.

  5. 5

    'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

  6. 6

    And grace my fears relieved;

  7. 7

    How precious did that grace appear

  8. 8

    The hour I first believed!

  9. 9

    Through many dangers, toils, and snares.

  10. 10

    I have already come;

  11. 11

    'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,

  12. 12

    And grace will lead me home.

  13. 13

    The Lord has promised good to me,—

  14. 14

    His word my hope secures;

  15. 15

    He will my shield and portion be

  16. 16

    As long as life endures.

  17. 17

    Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

  18. 18

    And mortal life shall cease,

  19. 19

    I shall possess, within the veil,

  20. 20

    A life of joy and peace.

  21. 21

    The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,

  22. 22

    The sun forbear to shine;

  23. 23

    But God, who call'd me here below,

  24. 24

    Will be for ever mine.

Wording: Olney Hymns, John Newton, 1779 (edition of 1840): hymn 41, Faith's Review and Expectation. Copied word for word from the edition named here

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When it is prayed

Many Protestant Christians sing Amazing Grace during church services, funerals, memorials and personal devotion. In the tradition, it expresses gratitude for God's mercy and hope through hardship. It is not tied to a particular season.

  • Church services
  • Funerals
  • Memorials
  • Personal devotion

Where it comes from

John Newton wrote Amazing Grace, which appeared in Olney Hymns in 1779. Newton was an Anglican minister who had previously participated in the slave trade and later opposed it. The hymn reflects Christian themes of repentance, grace and trust in God.

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Questions about Amazing Grace and the great hymns (How Great Thou Art, It Is Well, Be Thou My Vision)

Who wrote Amazing Grace?

John Newton wrote the words. They were published in Olney Hymns in 1779.

What does “amazing grace” mean?

In Christian teaching, grace is God's freely given mercy and love, rather than something a person earns. The hymn expresses wonder and gratitude for that gift.

Is Amazing Grace only sung at funerals?

No. Many Protestant Christians also sing it in regular worship, at memorials and during personal devotion.

What language was Amazing Grace written in?

It was written in English. Some of its older expressions may benefit from explanation, especially its language of being lost, found and spiritually blind.

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