Almighty King! Whose Wondrous Hand
The work is a devotional hymn that extols the sustaining power and benevolence of the divine. It unfolds by affirming that the Creator’s mighty hand governs and upholds the vast expanse of nature, from sea to land, ensuring that nothing exceeds the bounds of divine grace. The text emphasizes that all aspects of physical existence, including nourishment and health, are direct manifestations of divine providence. The believer’s daily sustenance and spiritual well-being are seen as gifts from a higher authority whose blessings make even the most ordinary elements of life profoundly good. The hymn proceeds to outline how the divine not only provides material needs but also imparts spiritual nourishment through sacred teachings. It portrays the human body as intricately fashioned by the divine, with every need met either by preserving against harm or by healing afflictions that do befall. This protective aspect extends to defense against malevolent forces, where even potential pain is reinterpreted as part of a larger, beneficial plan. The text underscores a trust in a higher order where all adversities are either averted or transformed by divine will. A central theme is the interplay between human limitation and divine infinity. The speaker offers a self-aware humility, conceding that any attempt at human praise or song is inevitably inadequate compared to the perfection and vastness of the divine gift. This acknowledgment of human limitation enhances the sense of gratitude expressed throughout, suggesting that true reverence is found in recognizing the insufficiency of human arts to fully encapsulate divine magnificence. Overall, the work presents a vision of life as sustained, healed, and uplifted by a divine power that orchestrates both the natural world and the inner realm of the human spirit. Every facet of existence—from the provision of food to the shelter from pain—remains under the vigilant care of a benevolent force. The hymn, therefore, serves not only as an expression of gratitude but also as an affirmation of faith in divine providence, affirming that even the simplest expressions of praise are worthy, albeit limited, responses to an immeasurable source of blessing.
By John Newton · First published 1779 · Genre: Christian Hymn, Religious Poetry, Devotional Literature · 194 words
First lines
I: Almighty King! whose wondrous hand / Supports the weight of sea and land, / Whose grace is such a boundless store / No heart shall break that sighs for more, / II: Thy providence supplies my food, / And 'tis thy blessing makes it good; / My soul is nourish'd by thy word / Let soul and body praise the Lord.
III: My streams of outward comfort came / From him, who built this earthly frame; / Whate'er I want his bounty gives,
IV: Either his hand preserves from pain, / Or, if I feel it, heals again; / From Satan's malice shields my breast, / Or over-rules it for the best.
V: Forgive the song that falls so low / Beneath the gratitude I owe!
Genres
- Christian Hymn — The text is structured as a hymn of praise and worship, focusing on divine attributes and providence.
- Religious Poetry — Its poetic form and language, coupled with theological themes, align with the tradition of religious poetry.
- Devotional Literature — The work's emphasis on personal reliance on divine grace and spiritual nourishment classifies it as devotional literature.
- Inspirational — The verses convey encouragement and spiritual upliftment, characteristic of inspirational writing within religious contexts.
Tags
Christian · hymn · worship · praise · spiritual · devotional · prayer · biblical · salvation · redemption · grace · reverence
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Almighty King! Whose Wondrous Hand is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Newton, dated 1779 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Newton
- Date: 1779 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Christian Hymn, Religious Poetry, Devotional Literature, Inspirational
- Length: 194 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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