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
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Then when we first begun
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
I once was lost, but now I'm found;
Was blind, but now I see
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Carrie Underwood offers a powerful rendition of the enduring hymn "Amazing Grace," presenting its timeless message to a contemporary audience. The release of her performance video on March 26, 2021, brought renewed attention to this beloved song of faith and redemption. While Carrie Underwood performs this version, the hymn itself holds deep historical roots, written by John Newton, an 18th-century Englishman involved in the slave trade who experienced a profound spiritual conversion. His personal journey from spiritual darkness to light is widely understood to be the inspiration behind these deeply moving lyrics, reflecting a personal testimony of God's transformative power.
The first stanza lays the foundation of the hymn's message: acknowledging the extraordinary nature of "amazing grace" and the profound personal impact it has had. The phrase "How sweet the sound" conveys the relief and joy experienced upon receiving this grace. Describing oneself as a "wretch" highlights a recognition of one's sinful state before encountering grace. The subsequent lines, "I once was lost, but now I'm found; Was blind, but now I see," articulate the core experience of salvation – a transition from a state of spiritual separation and ignorance to one of being known by God and gaining spiritual understanding. This transition signifies a new life and perspective granted through divine intervention.
The second stanza delves further into the active role of grace in the believer's life. "'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear" speaks to grace bringing about a reverent awe and understanding of God's holiness and justice, leading to conviction. Following this conviction, grace also brings comfort and peace, as "grace my fears relieved." This stanza focuses on the moment of conversion, where grace "appeared" as something incredibly precious, marking "The hour I first believed." It emphasizes the personal and immediate impact of faith taking root in the heart.
The third stanza shifts perspective to the eternal realm, contemplating the unending nature of worship and the believer's future in God's presence. "When we've been there ten thousand years" signifies an immense, almost unimaginable span of time in eternity. The image of being "Bright shining as the sun" suggests a state of glory or spiritual illumination. The powerful affirmation "We've no less days to sing God's praise, Then when we first begun" conveys that the wonder and gratitude inspired by grace will never diminish; the joy of praising God will be as fresh and fervent after countless ages as it was at the very beginning of faith.
The themes woven throughout the lyrics resonate deeply with numerous biblical concepts. The idea of being "lost" and subsequently "found" echoes parables in the New Testament illustrating God's pursuit of sinners and the joy over their return. The state of being "blind" gaining "sight" directly reflects spiritual enlightenment and understanding received through faith, often contrasted with spiritual darkness or ignorance in scripture. "Grace" itself is a central theological concept described as God's unmerited favor towards humanity, the basis of salvation received through faith, not works. The redemption from a state of being a "wretch" to one of salvation through grace aligns with the biblical narrative of humanity's need for a savior and God's provision through Jesus Christ. The prospect of eternal praise reflects the scriptural vision of believers worshipping God forever. Carrie Underwood's vocal delivery typically imbues such performances with a sense of earnestness and power, serving to amplify the profound message of forgiveness, hope, and gratitude inherent in this timeless hymn.
