The Castle of the Human Heart

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The castle of the human heart

Author: John Newton
Tune: WREXFORD
Published in 14 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 The castle of the human heart
Strong in its native sin,
Is guarded well, in every part,
By him who dwells within.

2 For Satan there, in arms, resides,
And calls the place his own;
With care against assaults provides,
And rules, as on a throne.

3 Each traitor thought on him, as chief,
In blind obedience waits;
And pride, self-will, and unbelief,
Are posted at the gates.

4 Thus Satan for a season reigns,
And keeps his goods in peace;
The soul is pleased to wear his chains,
Nor wishes a release.

5 But Jesus, stronger far than he,
In His appointed hour
Appears, to set His people free
From the usurper’s power.

6 "This heart I bought with blood," He says,
"And now it shall be Mine."
His voice the strong one armed dismays,
He knows he must resign.

7 In spite of unbelief and pride,
And self, and Satan’s art;
The gates of brass fly open wide,
And Jesus wins the heart.

8 The rebel soul that once withstood
The Savior’s kindest call;
Rejoices now, by grace subdued,
To serve Him with her all.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #13421

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Author: John Newton

John Newton (b. London, England, 1725; d. London, 1807) was born into a Christian home, but his godly mother died when he was seven, and he joined his father at sea when he was eleven. His licentious and tumultuous sailing life included a flogging for attempted desertion from the Royal Navy and captivity by a slave trader in West Africa. After his escape he himself became the captain of a slave ship. Several factors contributed to Newton's conversion: a near-drowning in 1748, the piety of his friend Mary Catlett, (whom he married in 1750), and his reading of Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ. In 1754 he gave up the slave trade and, in association with William Wilberforce, eventually became an ardent abolitionist. After becoming a tide… Go to person page >

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