Classic Christian Hymns · Public-domain text

Sovereign grace has pow'r alone

John Newton · 1779

Source: Olney Hymns

Stanza 1

Sovereign grace has pow'r alone
To subdue a heart of stone;
And the moment grace is felt,
Then the hardest heart will melt.

Stanza 2

When the Lord was crucified,
Two transgressors with him died;
One with vile blaspheming tongue,
Scoffed at JESUS as he hung.

Stanza 3

Thus he spent his wicked breath,
In the very jaws of death
Perished, as too many do,
With the Savior in his view.

Stanza 4

But the other, touched with grace,
Saw the danger of his case;
Faith received to own the LORD,
Whom the scribes and priests abhorred.

Stanza 5

"Lord, he prayed, remember me;
When in glory thou shalt be:"
"Soon with me, the Lord replies,
Thou shalt rest in paradise."

Stanza 6

This was wondrous grace indeed,
Grace vouchsafed in time of need!
Sinners trust in Jesu's name,
You shall find him still the same.

Stanza 7

But beware of unbelief,
Think upon the hardened thief;
If the gospel you disdain,
CHRIST, to you, will die in vain.