The words
Stanza 1. In evil long I took delight,Unawed by shame or fear;Till a new object struck my sight,And stopped my wild career.
Stanza 2. I saw one hanging on a tree,In agonies and blood;Who fixed his languid eyes on me,As near his cross I stood.
Stanza 3. Sure, never till my latest breath,Can I forget that look;It seemed to charge me with his death,Though not a word he spoke.
Stanza 4. My conscience felt, and owned the guilt,And plunged me in despair;I saw my sins his blood had spilt,And helped to nail him there.
Stanza 5. Alas! I knew not what I did,But now my tears are vain;Where shall my trembling soul be hid?For I the LORD have slain.
Stanza 6. A second look he gave, which said,“I freely all forgive;This blood is for thy ransom paid,I die, that thou may’st live.”
Stanza 7. Thus, while his death my sin displays,In all its blackest hue;(Such is the mystery of grace)It seals my pardon too.
Stanza 8. With pleasing grief and mournful joy,My spirit now is filled;That I should such a life destroy,Yet live by him I killed.
Olney Hymns (1779), Book 2, Hymn 57. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/2-57
