Classic Hymns and Their Stories
Puzzle 29 · Olney and Its Hymn Writers · Page 47 in print
Amazing Grace
The hymn first appeared in Olney Hymns (1779) as “Faith’s Review and Expectation.”
Jump to a word
The words
Amazing Grace
The hymn was first printed in Olney Hymns (1779) under the title ‘Faith’s Review and Expectation,’ with the scripture reference 1 Chronicles 17:16-17.
Broaddus
Richard and Andrew Broaddus, editors of Sacred Ballads. Editors of the collection that printed the added stanza.
Chronicles
1 Chronicles 17:16–17, Newton’s scripture text for the hymn.
Hephzibah
An earlier tune for Newton’s text, by J. Husband.
Janus
Two-faced Roman figure used in Newton’s New Year diary.
King David
Speaker of the question in Newton’s scripture text.
Lambeth Palace
London palace whose library preserves Newton’s sermon notes. Repository of the hymn’s related sermon notes.
Mercy
The hymn’s theme of undeserved compassion. Core theological subject of Newton’s hymn.
New Year's Day
1 January 1773, the date of the service linked to the hymn.
New York
City of the 1790 edition of Olney Hymns.
Notebook
The missing Newton notebook that would have held the hymn.
Revival
Christian revival meetings where the hymn became popular.
Sacred Ballads
A Collection of Sacred Ballads (1790), which printed the added stanza.
Sermon
Newton’s New Year’s Day 1773 sermon, linked to the hymn.
Stowe
Harriet Beecher Stowe, who printed part of the hymn in Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
Sources
- Amazing GraceHymnology Archive
- Amazing GraceCowper and Newton Museum
- Olney Hymns (New York: Hodge, Allen, and Campbell, 1790), entry 13920Jackson Bibliography, University of Toronto Libraries