San Francisco Central Seventh-day Adventist Church

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108 Amazing Grace

Authors: Stanza 1-4, John Newton, 1779 (1725-1807); Stanza 5, John Rees, c. 1859
Music Source: Virginia Harmony, 1831
Arranger: Robert J. Batastini (1942- )

John Newton, author of the first four stanzas of this hymn, never ceased to thank God for His saving grace in transforming him from a slave captain, and later a slave himself, to a Christian minister. The hymn is his personal testimony.

The tune NEW BRITAIN is of unknown origin, but first appeared in America in 1831.

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.

The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be,
as long as life endures.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

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 first begun.