Saturday Evening

Safely through another week
God has brought us on our way,
Let us now a blessing seek,
On the approaching Sabbath-day:
Day of all the week the best,
Emblem of eternal rest.

Mercies multiplied each hour,
Through the week our praise demand;
Guarded by Almighty power,
Fed and guided by his hand:
Though ungrateful we have been,
Only made returns of sin.

While we pray for pardoning grace,
Through the dear Redeemer's name,
Show thy reconciled face,
Shine away our sin and shame:
From our worldly care set free,
May we rest this night with Thee.

When the morn shall bid us rise,
May we feel thy presence near!
May thy glory meet our eyes
When we in thy house appear!
There afford us, Lord, a taste
Of our everlasting feast.

May thy gospel's joyful sound
Conquer sinners—comfort saints—
Make the fruits of grace abound,
Bring relief for all complaints:
Thus may all our Sabbaths prove,
Till we join the church above!

—John Newton


Tune: "Red Wing Seminary," John Dahle (courtesy Cyber Hymnal)

About the Author

John Newton (1725–1807) is best known today for his hymn "Amazing Grace." Originally a sailor and slave trader, the "old African blasphemer" ceased his blasphemy and embraced his creator as his saviour. He devoted the remainder of his life to the ministry as an Anglican priest, and was also an outspoken opponent of the slave trade.

Newton's hymnodic endeavors are contained in the collection Olney Hymns, co-authored by himself and William Cowper. Newton, however, wrote most of the volume, penning a hymn a week until it was completed. The Anglican church then only allowing psalmody in corporate worship, Newton never lived to see his compositions sung in church.

Thoughts

Safely through the past two weeks God has brought me on my way. He kept me while I was coming home from the Y, through a two-week return trip/vacation through the southwestern National Parks. I thank him for this blessing, and now I look eagerly forward to entering his presence again on this first Sabbath I am home.