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Song: Amazing grace
1. Song: Amazing grace
In 1779, Englishman John Newton (1725-1807) wrote "
Amazing grace". His mother died when he was 7. At 11 he went to sea with his father. His unruly behavior led to a flogging for attempted desertion.
Held captive by a slave trader in Africa, he escaped and became the captain of a slave ship. After a near drowning and influence from others, he left the slave trade and became an abolitionist.
The hymn "
Amazing grace" reflects the amazing grace that John Newton felt he had received after many trials and tribulations during his lifetime. He wrote many other hymns.
The Greek word for "
grace" means a "
favor" as in a "
good favor" and not "
joy".
2. A joyous thank you for the grace of a gaudy favor
The Greek word often translated as "
joy" can be mistaken as meaning "
merry" or "
great happiness" or "
bliss". The word "
joy" comes, through French, from the Latin
"gaudia" ≈ "joy" and which became
"gaudy".
The ancient Greek word
"χαρά" ≈ "favor, grace" was the word used to translate the Hebrew word. Following Jesus is not all "
joy" in the modern English sense of the word.
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; [kjv]
At the time, the meaning of "
suffer" was to "
passively endure". So much of this endurance was painful persecution that the word took on the meaning it has today. Another Greek word meant "
suffer" as in "
to allow".
3. Words: John Newton
Under the influence of John and Charles Wesley and George Whitfield, John Newton studied for the ministry and was ordained a minister.
4. Music: William Walker
The American composer and Baptist William Walker (1809-1875) added music to "
Amazing Grace". He lived in Spartenburg, SC.
The music is a simple
pentatonic scale.
5. 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.
6. Mondegreen
A mondegreen for "
Amazing grace" is "
A maze of grapes, how sweet and round".
What happens if grape vines get too much sun and not enough water?
It will be hard raising/raisin grapes. A heard it through the grapevine. Juicy it was a great wine.
7. 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!
8. Verse 3
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
'tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
9. 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.
10. Verse 5
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease:
I shall possess, within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.
11. Verse 6
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
the sun forbear to shine;
but God, who called me here below,
will be forever mine.
12. Verse 7
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.
13. End of page
