《Amazing Grace》中文翻譯為《奇異恩典》,也有人稱《天賜恩寵》,是美國最膾炙人口的壹首鄉村福音歌曲,是美國人最喜愛的壹首贊美詩,也是全世界基督徒都會唱的壹首歌,被奉為基督教聖歌。ROV. John NEWTON作於1779年,開始是壹首傳統的民謠,或黑人靈歌,它表達了宗教的忠誠,其中包含著壹個平淡但是極富深意的贖罪的故事,它成了基督徒每次祈禱懺悔時必唱的曲目,後來它流行越來越廣,超越了宗教,成了壹首真正意義上的流行歌曲,成為人們祈求和平的經典歌曲,是人民精神世界的贊歌,歌的主題和《聖經》的主旨相符:懺悔、感恩、贖罪、重生,現在在任何莊嚴隆重的場合、在儀式上、在很多流行音樂唱片裏、在國家級的典禮以及在美國前總統裏根的葬禮上,妳都能聽到這首聖潔,祥和,莊重,優美的歌曲。
英語原文:
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound!
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now I am found,
Was blind but now I see.
Was 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;
This grace has 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 vail,
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 forever mine.