Canticles 1: 3 by John Newton (1779)
The work is structured as a series of lyrical stanzas celebrating the power and comfort found in the sacred name. It presents the name as a balm that eases sorrow, mends wounds, and banishes fear, thereby symbolizing hope and renewal for the believer. Throughout the piece, the name is depicted as a source of healing, both for emotional and spiritual afflictions, offering nourishment to the soul much like manna sustains the body. It is portrayed as a rock, a shield, and a wellspring of unending grace—a steadfast refuge in a life marred by sin. The verses acknowledge human imperfection, noting that despite the taint of sin, the believer remains under divine favor, immune to the relentless accusations of evil. This acknowledgment underlines the transformative power of the sacred presence, which elevates the individual from guilt to a state of cherished belonging and divine inheritance. In its progression, the text shifts from the immediate sensory pleasure and comfort derived from the pleasing sound of the sacred name to a deeper, more existential commitment to proclaim its love with every breath. The work encapsulates a personal devotional journey marked by both vulnerability and firm resolve. It captures the tension between the believer’s self-perceived inadequacy—in failing to express the depth of reverence—and the overwhelming desire to honor the divine through heartfelt praise. Key metaphors throughout include the image of the sacred name as a healing medicine for the wounded spirit and a protective fortress against spiritual assault, along with the depiction of the divine as a multifaceted companion: shepherd, prophet, priest, king, and friend. These metaphors underscore an intimate relationship between the individual and the divine, where the name becomes both a symbol of salvation and an active force in the believer’s daily life. Ultimately, the work is a meditation on the sustaining and transformative power of divine grace, encapsulated in the reverence for the sacred name. It is a declaration of trust and commitment, blending personal admission of weakness with a fervent, ongoing pursuit of spiritual fulfillment and eternal renewal.
By John Newton · First published 1779 · Genre: Christian Hymn, Devotional Literature, Religious Poetry · 262 words
First lines
I: How sweet the name of Jesus sounds / In a believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, / And drives away his fear.
II: It makes the wounded spirit whole, / And calms the troubl'd breast; / 'Tis manna to the hungry soul, / And to the weary rest.
III: Dear name! the rock on which I build, / My shield and hiding-place / My never-failing treas'ry, fill'd / With boundless stores of grace.
What this Textopian page supports
Canticles 1: 3 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, Devotional Literature, Religious Poetry, Spiritual Literature, Lyric Poetry
- Length: 262 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Canticles 1: 3 by John Newton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Genres
- Christian Hymn — The work is structured as a hymn of praise to Jesus, emphasizing themes of redemption and grace.
- Devotional Literature — Its focus on personal faith and divine reassurance aligns with Christian devotional writing.
- Religious Poetry — The poetic structure, literary devices, and expressive language place it within religious poetry.
- Spiritual Literature — Themes of inner healing and spiritual nourishment classify it as spiritual literature.
Tags
religious · hymnic · canticle · spiritual · Christian · worship · devotional · liturgical · poetic · scriptural · inspirational · meditative