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Amazing Grace

Also known as: Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound

Author: John Newton
Composers: William Walker, Unknown (NEW BRITAIN tune)
Year: 1779
Style: hymn
Public Domain
★★★★★ Doctrinally Excellent
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Theological Analysis

A masterpiece of Christian hymnody. Written by converted slave trader John Newton, this hymn perfectly captures the transformative power of God's grace. The theology is rich, personal, and biblically grounded.

Theological Strengths

  • Clear gospel message of salvation by grace
  • Personal testimony integrated with universal truth
  • Strong biblical foundation
  • Emphasis on God's initiative in salvation
  • Eschatological hope in final verses

Line-by-Line Analysis

"Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!"
★★★★★

Acknowledges human depravity and the sweetness of unmerited favor. Newton's use of 'wretch' reflects genuine conviction of sin.

Scripture: Romans 3:23Ephesians 2:8
"I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see."
★★★★★

Echoes Jesus' parables and John 9. Salvation as God finding us, not us finding Him.

Scripture: Luke 15:24John 9:25

AI Theological Check

Chord Chart

C Amazing C7 grace! How F sweet the C sound
  That C saved a Am wretch like G me!
  I C once was C7 lost, but F now am C found;
  Was C blind, but G7 now I C see.
C 'Twas C7 grace that F taught my C heart to fear,
  And C grace my Am fears G relieved;
  How C precious did C7 that grace F  C appear
  The C hour I G7 first C believed.
C Through C7 many dangers, F toils and C snares,
  I C have already Am  G come;
  'Tis C grace hath C7 brought me F safe thus C far,
  And C grace will G7 lead me C home.
C The C7 Lord has F promised good C to me,
  His C Word my Am hope G secures;
  He C will my C7 Shield and F Portion C be,
  As C long as G7 life C endures.
C Yea, C7 when this F flesh and C heart shall fail,
  And C mortal life Am shall G cease,
  I C shall possess, C7 within the F  C veil,
  A C life of G7 joy and C peace.
C When C7 we've been F there ten C thousand years,
  Bright C shining as Am the G sun,
  We've C no less C7 days to F sing God's C praise
  Than C when we'd G7 first C begun.

Sheet Music

NEW BRITAIN
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Full Lyrics

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 hath 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 there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we'd first begun.

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