“Amazing Grace” is one of the most well-known Christian hymns out there. You might be surprised to know that this timeless classic was actually written way back in 1772 by John Newton, an Anglican clergyman and poet from England.
Over the years, “Amazing Grace” has been used for all sorts of occasions and purposes, both religious and secular. It’s been paired with more than 20 different melodies, making it a versatile tune that can fit a variety of moods and styles.
The song represents a personal journey many can relate to – seeking meaning in life through faith. It gives hope to those wanting positive change. In religion, “grace” refers to God’s unmerited favor, love, and divine blessing bestowed upon people.
In this article, we will analyze the meaning behind the lyrics.
Table of Contents
“Amazing Grace” Background
“Amazing Grace” is a famous Christian hymn written by John Newton in 1772 and published in 1779. John Newton was an Anglican clergyman and poet from England.
The hymn is incredibly popular in the United States and is used for both religious and non-religious occasions.
John Newton’s life story influenced the lyrics of the hymn. He initially didn’t have strong religious beliefs but had various experiences that changed his path. He was forced to join the Royal Navy and later became involved in the Atlantic slave trade.
However, a violent storm off the coast of Ireland in 1748 led him to pray for mercy from God. This event marked his spiritual conversion, and he eventually stopped his involvement in the slave trade, became interested in Christian theology, and became an abolitionist.
In 1773, while serving as a curate in Olney, Buckinghamshire, Newton wrote “Amazing Grace” to accompany a sermon on New Year’s Day. It’s unclear whether music accompanied the hymn at that time.
It was first published in 1779 in a collection of hymns called “Olney Hymns” by Newton and poet William Cowper. Although it was not widely known in England, it gained popularity in the United States, especially in the American South, during the Second Great Awakening in the early 19th century.
Over the years, “Amazing Grace” has been associated with more than 20 different melodies. In 1835, American composer William Walker set it to the melody known as “New Britain,” which is the version most commonly sung today.
“Amazing Grace” Lyrics Meaning
Verse 1
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.
The first verse of “Amazing Grace” sets the tone for the entire hymn. It talks about how incredible grace is and how it can transform a person’s life. In a religious context, “grace” typically refers to the unmerited favor, divine mercy, or blessing that God bestows upon people.
When the singer says “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,” it’s like saying the sound of grace is so amazing that it’s hard to believe.
The part that says “saved a wretch like me” shows that the singer feels like they were not worthy of grace, and they couldn’t have earned it themselves. In Christian theology, there are different types of grace. In this line, the singer is referring to the “saving grace” that leads to salvation. It is the divine favor that allows believers to be reconciled with God and receive forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ.
The line “I once was lost, but now am found” means that the singer used to feel spiritually lost but have now found their way back to faith.
Lastly, “was blind, but now I see” suggests a big change from not understanding things to having clarity and insight.
Verse 2
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
The second verse of “Amazing Grace” talks about how grace can make someone feel both scared and comforted. It says, “‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,” which means that grace made the speaker realize their own mistakes and need for redemption.
But then it says, “and grace my fears relieved,” which means that grace also made them feel safe and calm.
The line “how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed” means that the moment the singer first believed in grace was a really special and life-changing one for them.
Verse 3
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 third verse of “Amazing Grace” is about not giving up when life gets tough. It says, “through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come,” which means the singer has faced a lot of challenges in life.
But it also says, “‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” This means that grace has helped the singer get through these challenges and will continue to guide them towards salvation.
Verse 4
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
The fourth verse of “Amazing Grace” emphasizes the idea of trust in God’s promises. The words “the Lord has promised good to me” suggest that the singer has faith in God’s plan for their life.
The phrase “His word my hope secures” speaks to the idea that the promises in the Bible provide a sense of security and hope for the speaker.
Finally, the words “He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures” suggest that the speaker trusts that God will protect them and provide for them throughout their life.
Verse 5
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.
The fifth verse of “Amazing Grace” speaks to the idea of eternal life and the promise of heaven. The words “yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease” suggest that the singer is acknowledging their own mortality and the inevitability of death.
However, the phrase “I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace” suggests that the singer has faith in the promise of eternal life and the idea that they will experience everlasting joy and peace in the afterlife.
Verse 6
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’ve first begun.
The final verse of “Amazing Grace” speaks to the idea of eternity and the never-ending nature of praise and worship. The words “when we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun” suggest the idea of a timeless and eternal existence.
The phrase “we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun” emphasizes the idea that praise and worship are never-ending and that the speaker will continue to glorify God throughout eternity.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Amazing Grace”
“Amazing Grace” is a famous song that carries a message of forgiveness and redemption, regardless of one’s past mistakes. It tells us that with God’s mercy, even the most troubled souls can find hope and salvation. This song is incredibly well-known in the English-speaking world.
In a religious context, “grace” is often seen as God’s love and favor extended to humanity without them having earned or deserved it. It is a gift from God, given freely out of His love and mercy.
Grace plays a crucial role in the Christian understanding of salvation. Christians believe that through God’s grace, they are forgiven of their sins and can have eternal life with Him, not because of their own righteousness, but because of God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Grace is not just about forgiveness; it also empowers believers to live a righteous and transformed life. Some religious teachings suggest that God’s grace can provide comfort and strength to people during times of suffering and trials. It is believed to help people endure difficulties with faith and resilience.
In this song “Amazing Grace,” the word “amazing” is chosen to evoke a sense of awe and reverence in the hearts of those singing or hearing the hymn. By describing “grace” as “amazing,” the hymn highlights that God’s grace is not ordinary or mundane but something truly extraordinary and remarkable.
In fact, “Amazing Grace” is not just a theological statement; it also conveys the emotional response of the songwriter, John Newton, the hymn’s author, to his own experience of receiving God’s grace.
Newton, who had been involved in the slave trade and later found redemption, was deeply moved by the profound change in his life through God’s grace. The word “amazing” reflects his personal astonishment and gratitude.
John Newton had a Calvinistic view of redemption and divine grace. He saw himself as a sinner so wretched that he couldn’t change his life or be redeemed without God’s help.
The term “wretch” also reflects a period in Newton’s life when he felt outcast and miserable, similar to his experiences as a slave in Sierra Leone.
However, in recent times, some religious publications have changed the lyrics of the hymn to remove a sense of self-loathing.
For example, the line “That saved a wretch like me!” has been rewritten as “That saved and strengthened me,” “save a soul like me,” or “that saved and set me free.”
This change reflects evolving interpretations of the concepts of wretchedness and grace.
Covers
“Amazing Grace” is a beloved hymn that has been covered by countless artists in various styles over the years. Here are some notable versions of the classic song:
Gerard Chiusano Version
Gerard Chiusano’s arrangement of “Amazing Grace” is a traditional version for SATB choirs. The soprano and alto voices sing the first verse, followed by the men joining in for the following verses. The fourth verse is sung a cappella, and the fifth verse has an optional descant for soprano voices.
Kevin Keil Version
Kevin Keil’s instrumental arrangement is effortless and soothing, especially when combined with Pachelbel’s “Canon in D.” The oboe’s melody is pure, while the piano creates a lovely countermelody throughout, moving seamlessly between “Amazing Grace” and “Canon in D.”
Chris Tomlin Version
Chris Tomlin’s “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” is a beloved contemporary Christian song. It includes an additional refrain created for the movie “Amazing Grace.” Chris initially hesitated to make changes to the well-known hymn but decided to do so after learning that it had evolved over time.
Grayson Warren Brown Version
Grayson Warren Brown’s version of “Amazing Grace” has an Americana style, featuring guitar, banjos, and fiddle. Adapted by Grayson and sung by Elisabeth Williamson, this rendition also has backup vocals by The Madrigals. It originally appeared on Brown’s “Praise the Lord in Many Voices” collection in the 1980s.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.