“奇异恩典”于1779年创作,是世界上最著名的基督教圣诗之一。歌词为英国诗人及牧师约翰·牛顿(1725-1807)所填。
歌词深刻感人,触及心灵,一句”saved a wretch like me",发出心灵最深处的痛悔呐喊。而这句把自己降至最低的话语,使得全诗成为人类属灵的高峰,也成了全诗名垂青史的属灵基石。风笛的配乐,与歌曲意境浑然天成,彰显长阔高深的上帝之爱,有人评价说,风笛为此歌而生。
歌词源于约翰·牛顿的个人经历。虽然牛顿是在一个没有特殊宗教信仰的环境下成长起来,但他的人生道路充满了各式各样的起伏和巧合,而这些起伏和巧合通常是他自己桀骜不驯的性格所带来的。约翰·牛顿曾被英国皇家海军强征入伍,而在离开军队之后开始从事于黑奴贸易。 1748年,一股强烈的风暴在爱尔兰的多尼戈尔郡重创了牛顿的船只。在猛烈的风暴和危急的情况下,他开始向神呼求怜悯和拯救。这种呼求也象征了他属灵上的转变。在他的船只停靠Swilly港湾维护和修理的这段时间,他写下了这首如今闻名于世的诗歌的第一段歌词。但在这之后,牛顿又继续从事他的黑奴贸易。直到1754或者1755年,他才彻底结束了他的海上事业,并开始研习基督教神学。
约翰·牛顿于1764年在英国国教会被按立,成为白金汉郡奥尔尼镇的助理牧师,并开始和诗人威廉·古柏一起创作圣诗。〈奇异恩典〉这首圣诗是为1773年的新年布道会所创作。
中文歌词(摘自《生命圣诗》):
奇异恩典,何等甘甜,我罪已得赦免;前我失丧,今被寻回,瞎眼今得看见!
如此恩典,使我敬畏,使我心得安慰;初信之时,即蒙恩惠,真是何等宝贵!
许多危险,试炼网罗,我已安然度过;靠主恩典,安全不怕,更引导我归家!
将来禧年,圣徒欢聚,恩光爱谊千年;喜乐颂赞,在父座前,深望那日快现!
英文歌词:
Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now I am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev'd;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ'd!
Thro' many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promis'd 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 call'd me here below,
Will be forever mine.
另一现代版本有此段:
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
参考:
https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A5%87%E7%95%B0%E6%81%A9%E5%85%B8