Poiema

—Renee Adele Phillips
with John Newton (“Amazing Grace”)

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
Even the thought of Your grace is like music—
That saved a wretch like me!
 You saved me when I thought I wasn’t worth saving.
I once was lost, but now am found;
I was broken, bound, and bruised, but You found me;
Was blind, but now I see.
And breathed life into my weary bones.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
Were it not for grace,
And grace my fears relieved;
I would not still be here.
How precious did that grace appear
Why didn’t I remember that Your grace
The hour I first believed.
Had been mine from the moment I became Yours?

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have been to the very bottom of existence
I have already come;
And You met me there and would not let me go.
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
I am on solid ground at last—after all of it—
And grace will lead me home.
And I am so grateful.