Book 3, Hymn 88 · John Newton · Public-domain words
Lord, what is man! extremes how wide
Book 3, Hymn 88 · John Newton
The words
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Stanza 1. Lord, what is man! extremes how wide,In this mysterious nature join!The flesh, to worms and dust allied,The soul, immortal and divine!
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Stanza 2. Divine at first, a holy flameKindled by the Almighty’s breath;Till, stained by sin, it soon becameThe seat of darkness, strife, and death,
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Stanza 3. But JESUS, O! amazing grace!Assumed our nature as his own,Obeyed and suffered in our place,Then took it with him to his throne.
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Stanza 4. Now what is man, when grace revealsThe virtue of a Savior’s blood?Again a life divine he feels,Despises earth, and walks with God.
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Stanza 5. And what, in yonder realms above,Is ransomed man ordained to be?With honor, holiness, and love,No seraph more adorned than he.
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Stanza 6. Nearest the throne, and first in song,Man shall his hallelujahs raiseWhile wond’ring angels round him throng,And swell the chorus of his praise.
Olney Hymns (1779), Book 3, Hymn 88. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/3-88
About these words
John Newton lived from 1725 to 1807. These historical words are public domain.
This hymn belongs to the complete three-book collection first published in 1779.
