The Theology of Worship
Music – Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
by Chris Tomlin, John
Newton, Louie Giglio
This worship song is based
on one of the most beloved hymns of all time. John Newton, who wrote this great
hymn, Amazing Grace, was a former captain
of a slave ship. After he became a Believer he penned these words to which
almost everyone can relate. It is believed the melody used in the original hymn
came from songs sung by the slaves as they travelled the seas.
Chris Tomlin took some of
the lyrics of John Newton, then added some from Louie Giglio, and also his own,
to come up with this song, Amazing Grace
(My Chains Are Gone). It introduced the original hymn to a new generation
of worshippers and added a new sound for more seasoned worshippers.
Here’s a copy of the
original lyrics written by John Newton.
Amazing Grace (original
version)
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 that 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.
Yes, when this flesh and
heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the
veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon
dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here
below,
Will be for ever mine.
(1779)
As you can see, Chris Tomlin
took verses one, two, four, and six, then added a chorus (or refrain),
proclaiming, “My chains are gone!” It’s very easy to imagine John Newton
expressing these same words when he became a Believer after seeing all the physical
suffering endured by the slaves. Once saved, his spirit began to sing out of
the freedom that he experienced in Christ.
This rewrite came in 2006
and it still sits at #12 on CCLI’s Top 25 Worship Songs. The reason is the
timeless message and singability. The contrast used throughout the song gives a
vivid backdrop for each thought to be portrayed.
Sweet grace > wretched sinner
Lost > found
Blind > see
Heart fear (reverence toward God) > fear (of
sin) relieved
Chains > set
free
The content of this song can
clearly be traced back to scripture. There are so many references I didn’t take
time to list them. Here are the basic tenets of our faith referenced in the
rewrite.
Verse 1 – redemption through the blood of Jesus
Verse 2 – the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of
the Believer
Verse 3 – blessings that flow to the Believer when living
a life of faith
Verse 4 – the Blessed Hope of the Church – eternally in
God’s presence
Interposed between the
verses, Tomlin adds the refrain to remind us in each step of our journey in
Christ that we have been set free from every weight and sin that would attempt
to keep us from experiencing God’s best for us.
Sing, Church! The Lord’s
grace is amazing!
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