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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".
The book
Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is from 1939 and is set in the Dust Bowl of the 1930's.
What happens if grape vines get too much sun and not enough water?
It will be hard raising/raisin grapes. I heard it through the grapevine. Juicy it was a great wine.
Why was the farmer upset with his grapes?
Thy were being un-raisin-able!
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
