“Amazing Grace” is, with
little or no contradiction, the most amazing song which has ever been consigned
to paper.
Our congregation sings
the hymn on a recurring basis. Why, as soon as I hear the song leader say, “Let’s
turn to page 186 in the green hymnal,” I stand to my feet, as does virtually
every man, woman and child in the sanctuary. Strange, no other Christian song
elicits the immediate, almost subliminal response of standing to one’s feet; as
if the song, itself, is worthy of honor.
And it occurs to me that
the closest illusion I have to compare to it is when I counseled a young Hindu
woman from India. Each time “Damini” walked into my office, and I stood to
greet her, she would bend at the waist, and respectfully touch my feet. I think
my compulsion to stand during the singing of, “Amazing Grace” is very much the
same thing.
I have often reflected
that John Newton, the writer of this hymn, would be almost “bowled over” to discover
that his song is the best-known song of any kind, secular or religious,… in the
history of the world. It has been sung in multiplied dozens of languages, and
men and women, boys and girls of every religion, or the lack thereof, recognize
it after just a few notes fill the air.
I sang, “Amazing Grace”
as a solo at both my father’s and mother’s memorial services, and counted it a privilege
to do so.
And if “Amazing Grace”
is the best-known song which has ever been penned, the first verse of the song
is the best-known stanza of any song which has ever been set to paper.
“Amazing Grace. How sweet
the sound
that saved a wretch like
me!
I once was lost, but now
I’m found,
was blind but now I see!”
by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright Pending
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