Go Ad-Free
If you regularly use Hymnary.org, you might benefit from eliminating ads. Consider buying a subscription.
If you regularly use Hymnary.org, you might benefit from eliminating ads. Consider buying a subscription.
1 Lord, what is man? Extremes how wide
In this mysterious nature join!
The flesh, to worms and dust allied
The soul immortal and divine!
2 Divine at first, a holy flame
Kindled by the Almighty's breath;
Till stained by sin, it soon became
The seat of darkness, strife, and death.
3 But Jesus, Oh! amazing grace!
Affirmed our nature as his own,
Obeyed and suffered in our place,
Then took it with him to his throne.
4 Near to which throne, and high in song,
Man shall his hallelujahs raise;
While wondering angels round him throng,
And swell the chorus of his praise.
The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the most approved authors, 1799
First Line: | Lord, what is man? Extremes how wide |
Title: | Man by Nature, Grace and Glory |
Author: | John Newton |
Language: | English |
Copyright: | Public Domain |
Lord, what is man? extremes how Wide. J. Newton. [Man by Nature, Grace, and Glory.] Appeared in the Olney Hymns, 1779, Book iii., No. 88, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines, and headed, "Man by Nature, Grace, and Glory." It is the last of the longer hymns given in the Olney Hymns, and would appear to have been designedly placed there as a fitting close to the work, a few "short hymns," and four doxologies only, following. The closing stanza is exceedingly appropriate:—
"Nearest the throne, and first in song,
Man shall his hallelujahs raise;
While wond'ring angels round him throng,
And swell the chorus of his praise."
Although lacking the general interest and popularity of Newton's hymns, it is given in several collections.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)