Monday
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrow, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear.
John Newton based this hymn on references to fragrant ointment in the Song of Solomon. ‘Sweet’ evokes love, devotion and comfort, a familiar reassuring voice ‘in a believer’s ear.’ The power of the name of Jesus to make sorrow bearable, to be as ointment in wounds, as assurance in danger, gathers so many biblical texts from the Psalms to the Gospels. Newton could be deeply affected emotionally when thinking of the mercy of God and the grace of Christ, ever wondering about that ‘amazing grace’ which for the believer distils into the name above all names, ‘Jesus.’
Tuesday
It makes the wounded spirit whole and calms the troubled breast;
'tis manna to the hungry soul, and to the weary, rest.
The wounded spirit, troubled breast, hungry soul, and weary body all find their answers in wholeness, calm, manna and rest. Newton ransacks the Bible for metaphors of how the name of Jesus is medicine, consolation, food and a Sabbath for the whole person. Down the centuries many Christians have not only prayed in the name of Jesus, but at times simply speaking his name becomes all that need be said to the One who knows the deepest realities of the heart.
Wednesday
Dear Name! the Rock on which I build; my shield and hiding-place;
My never-failing treasury, fill'd with boundless stores of grace.
“Jesus is a rock in a weary land” is a line from another hymn that alludes to the Psalms, and God is the Rock on which life can be safely built. Newton may well have been thinking of the house built on the rock of obedience to Jesus’ teaching, as in Matthew 7. Not content with three images, the name of Jesus is also the key to ‘the unsearchable riches of Christ.’ None of the variations of contemporary worship should over-indulge our experience nor over-emphasise what we feel – the focus of worship is beyond ourselves, a bowing before the name that is above every name, and an acknowledgement of our indebtedness to God’s boundless stores of grace in Christ.
Thursday
By Thee my prayers acceptance gain, although with sin defil'd;
Satan accuses me in vain, and I am own'd a child.
Yes. I know. We don’t usually sing that verse, and no modern hymn book includes it. But John Newton was deeply conscious of the power of sin and Satan, and the hold of guilt and shame on his heart and conscience. His own personal history as a slave ship captain was a guilt-burden he carried all his life. Our prayers for forgiveness and grace will never become redundant; our gratitude for the grace that saves us is a lifelong hymn of the heart. And despite all Satan’s subterfuges, we remain, securely, children of God, our every prayer accepted in the name of Jesus.
Friday
Jesus, my Shepherd, Husband, Friend, my Prophet, Priest, and King,
my Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, accept the praise I bring.
This could be a worship and prayer list, a prayer list of contemplative images that, like Mary, can be pondered and kept in the heart. That might be quite enough as a Thought for the Day – or a whole week. Modern versions change ‘husband’ to ‘brother.’ They shouldn’t be so quick to ‘improve’ Newton! When he used the word ‘husband’ in the late 18th Century, it could also mean ‘one who attends to a ship’s stores and provisions.’ (Oxford English Dictionary) And that makes perfect sense to Newton the retired seaman!
Saturday
Weak is the effort of my heart, and cold my warmest thought;
but when I see Thee as Thou art, I'll praise Thee as I ought.
John Newton, evangelical Church of England vicar, anti-slavery convert, pastor of immense sensitivity and spiritual affection, looks forward to the beatific vision, the full gaze of the redeemed soul on Jesus the Saviour. Like each of us, Newton could be strict with his own heart, critical of his changeable love and unreliable inner climate. But it will be all right, and all will be made right, when he sees the beauty and the glory, the grace and the mercy of redeeming Love. Then, and perhaps not until then, he will be enabled to praise Jesus as he ought, and as freely and fully as throughout his life he longed to do
Sunday
Till then I would Thy love proclaim with every fleeting breath;
and may the music of Thy name refresh my soul in death.
Another hymn written a century later, echoes this verse: “There is a name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth; it sounds like music in my ear, the sweetest name on earth.” Newton and Cowper between them wrote The Olney Hymns, originally for the weekly prayer meeting in Olney. That the name of Jesus was music in Newton’s ears is no surprise, nor is his desire to use every fleeting breath to proclaim, make known, and convince others to receive and be owned by the Love that had saved a wretch like him! Towards the end of his life he wrote: “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things; that I am a great sinner, and Jesus is a great Saviour.” Rest in peace, and rise in glory, John Newton.
I'd never heard that "Thursday" verse. It deserves to be reinstated. The hymn is a hymn of praise, but that verse stands out with its personal message of restoration, and its testimony and promise of spiritual healing.
Posted by: Dave Summers | September 29, 2024 at 10:12 PM