Lyrics
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.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
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've first begun.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Amazing Grace tells the story of salvation through undeserved favor. Its opening contrasts lostness with being found and blindness with sight, presenting grace as the decisive cause of change. The following verses hold reverence and relief together: grace awakens holy fear, then answers fear with mercy. Past dangers become evidence of sustaining care, while the promise of home directs hope beyond present hardship.
The hymn also grounds assurance in the Lord’s word, describing God as shield and lasting portion. Its final vision stretches beyond mortal life into unending praise, where the passing of countless years cannot exhaust worship. These themes closely match biblical teaching that salvation is a gift rather than a human achievement, and the lost-and-found language recalls Jesus’ description of restoration. In Aretha Franklin’s gospel setting, the familiar text remains both confession and praise. Human weakness is stated plainly, but grace receives the final word from first belief through eternity.
Related Scripture
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Paul teaches that salvation comes by grace through faith, not by human works.
- Luke 15:24 The father celebrates because the one who was lost has been found.