Dear HLPC family,
John Newton is perhaps best known as the author of the great hymn, “Amazing Grace.” Fortunately, Newton gifted the Church with many more hymns. In fact, Newton, along with William Cowper, who also wrote some great hymns, published a hymnal in 1779 called “The Olney Hymns.” These hymns were written to be sung in the church in Olney, England where Newton pastored from 1764 to 1780. There are some great messages of help and encouragement in those songs.
I was listening to one of Newton’s hymns recorded by Indelible Grace that I found especially encouraging entitled “Pensive, Doubting, Fearful Heart.” I wanted to pass on the lyrics to encourage you as well:
1. Pensive, doubting, fearful heart,
Hear what Christ the Savior says:
Every word should joy impart,
Change thy mourning into praise.
Yes, he speaks, and speaks to thee,
May he help thee to believe!
Then thou presently wilt see,
Thou hast little cause to grieve.
2. “Fear thou not, nor be ashamed,
All thy sorrows soon shall end.
I, who heaven and earth have framed,
Am thy husband and thy friend.
I, the High and Holy One,
Israel’s GOD by all adored,
As thy Savior will be known,
Thy Redeemer and thy Lord.”
3. “For a moment I withdrew,
And thy heart was filled with pain,
But my mercies I’ll renew,
Thou shalt soon rejoice again.
Though I scorn to hide my face,
Very soon my wrath shall cease.
‘Tis but for a moment’s space,
Ending in eternal peace.”
4. “When my peaceful bow appears,
Painted on the watery cloud,
‘Tis to dissipate thy fears,
Lest the earth should be overflowed.
‘Tis an emblem too of grace,
Of my cov’nant love a sign.
Though the mountains leave their place,
Thou shalt be forever mine.
5. Though afflicted, tempest-tossed,
Comfortless awhile thou art,
Do not think thou canst be lost,
Thou art graven on my heart.
All thy walls I will repair,
Thou shalt be rebuilt anew,
And in thee it shall appear,
What a God of love can do.