By grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8–9
Words: Fanny Crosby, in Songs of Love and Praise No. 5, edited by Howard Entwisle et al. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: John J. Hood, 1898). Some hymnals give the author as Ida Scott Taylor, one of Fanny’s pseudonyms.
Music: J. Howard Entwisle (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Entwisle (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
A message sweet is borne to me
On wings of joy divine;
A wondrous message, glad and free,
That thrills this heart of mine;
I’m saved by grace, by grace alone,
Through Christ, whose love I claim,
No other could for sin atone,
Hosanna to His name!
Refrain
O glorious song that all day long
With tuneful note is ringing,
I’m saved by grace, amazing grace,
And that is why I’m singing!
I hear the message that I love
When morning dawns anew;
I read it in the sun above
That shines across the blue;
I hear it in the twilight still,
And at the sunset hour—
I’m saved by grace! what words can thrill
With such a magic power?
Refrain
Oh, wondrous grace for all mankind,
That spreads from sea to sea!
It heals the sick and leads the blind,
And sets the prisoner free;
The soul that seeks it cannot fail
To see the Savior’s face,
And Satan’s power cannot prevail
If we are saved by grace.
Refrain