1 Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
The hymn 'Amazing Grace' captures a profound journey from despair to redemption, emphasizing the transformative power of divine grace. The opening lines introduce the theme of salvation, as the speaker reflects on their past struggles and the grace that has rescued them from a state of 'lostness.' This emotional arc unfolds through the verses, where the speaker acknowledges their fears and the relief that grace provides, ultimately leading to a sense of hope and security in God's promises.
The structure of the song is traditional, with multiple verses that build upon the central theme of grace. Each verse serves to deepen the listener's understanding of the speaker's journey, culminating in a powerful chorus that reiterates the joy and sweetness of grace. The final verse looks forward to an eternal existence filled with praise, reinforcing the idea that grace is not just a momentary experience but a lifelong journey that transcends time.
John Newton's personal history as a former slave trader turned abolitionist adds a significant layer of meaning to the hymn. His life experiences inform the lyrics, making 'Amazing Grace' not only a religious expression but also a testament to the possibility of change and redemption, resonating deeply with audiences across generations.
| Word | In English | Plain (English) | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazing | Incredible and awe-inspiring | Very impressive or wonderful | — |
| grace | Divine favor or kindness | Unmerited help from God | — |
| sweet | Pleasant and delightful | Nice and enjoyable | — |
| sound | A noise or auditory experience | What is heard | — |
| saved | Rescued from sin or danger | Delivered from harm | — |
| wretch | A miserable or unfortunate person | Someone in great distress | — |
| like | Similar to or resembling | In the manner of | — |
| lost | In a state of confusion or absence | Not found or misplaced | — |
| found | Discovered or realized | Brought to light | — |
| blind | Unable to see or perceive | Lacking sight | — |
| see | To perceive with the eyes | To understand or realize | — |
| Twas | It was (archaic form) | Referring to a past time | — |
| taught | Instructed or educated | Showed how to do | — |
| heart | The center of emotions | The emotional core | — |
| fear | A feeling of anxiety or dread | Concern or worry | — |
| fears | Anxieties or worries | Concerns or apprehensions | — |
| relieved | Freed from distress | Made to feel better | — |
| precious | Valuable and cherished | Highly valued | — |
| appear | To become visible or evident | To show up | — |
| hour | A specific time period | A moment in time | — |
| first | The initial or earliest | At the beginning | — |
| believed | Accepted as true or real | Had faith in | — |
| many | A large number of | Numerous or several | — |
| dangers | Risks or threats | Hazards or perils | — |
| toils | Hard work or labor | Struggles or efforts | — |
| snares | Traps or pitfalls | Dangers or traps | — |
| already | Previously or before now | At this point in time | — |
| come | To arrive or reach | To get to a place | — |
| Tis | It is (archaic form) | Referring to a current state | — |
| hath | Has (archaic form) | Possesses or owns | — |
| brought | Carried or delivered | Brought to a place | — |
| safe | Protected from harm | In a secure state | — |
| thus | In this way or manner | So or accordingly | — |
| far | A great distance away | At a long distance | — |
| lead | To guide or direct | To show the way | — |
| home | A place of residence | Where one lives | — |
| Lord | A title for God | Divine authority figure | — |
| promised | Committed to do something | Gave assurance of | — |
| good | Beneficial or positive | Favorable or kind | — |
| Word | Scripture or divine message | Religious text or promise | — |
| hope | trust in something good | expectation of positive outcomes | — |
| secures | makes safe or certain | ensures stability or protection | — |
| Shield | protector or defense | something that guards against harm | — |
| Portion | part or share | a segment of something larger | — |
| long | for a long time | an extended duration | — |
| life | existence or living | the state of being alive | — |
| endures | lasts over time | continues despite challenges | — |
| we've | we have | indicating possession or experience | — |
| ten | a number representing ten | the numeral after nine | — |
| thousand | a large number, one thousand | ten times one hundred | — |
| years | units of time, years | measure of time in annual cycles | — |
| Bright | radiant or shining | full of light or color | — |
| shining | emitting light | glowing or reflecting light | — |
| sun | the star that gives light | the central star of our solar system | — |
| less | not as many | fewer in quantity or degree | — |
| days | units of time, days | measure of time in 24-hour periods | — |
| sing | to vocalize music | produce musical sounds with voice | — |
| God's | belonging to God | related to a divine being | — |
| praise | express admiration | to honor or commend | — |
| begun | started or initiated | to have commenced | — |
| Written | composed or authored | created in written form | — |
| John | a person's name | first name of the author | — |
| Newton | a person's surname | last name of the author | — |
| 1725-1807 | dates of life | years of John Newton's life | — |
John Newton was an English cleric and abolitionist known for his hymn 'Amazing Grace.' He had a transformative spiritual experience that led him to renounce his past in the slave trade.