Holy Lord God! I Love Thy Truth by John Newton
The work is a devotional meditation on the believer’s relationship with divine truth, contrasting an unwavering commitment to God’s commandments with the pervasive, corrosive effect of sin. It opens with declarations of profound love for divine truth and adherence to God’s laws, quickly tempered by an acute awareness of sin’s damaging impact—a poison that, like the serpent’s bite, inflicts enduring pain. The text explores the internal conflict experienced by the sinner: despite a fervent commitment to righteousness, the presence of even one unconfessed sin has the power to darken one’s inner world, equating the weight of that sin with a state of spiritual ruin comparable to a heavenly throne reduced to hell. This paradox emphasizes that the grace and freedom found in faith are only fully realized once sin is completely eradicated. The verses draw on vivid imagery: a prisoner temporarily freed yet still marked by previous chains, and a heavenly vision that, when confronted with even a trace of sin, loses its luster. The depiction of sin as an inescapable chain underscores the idea that liberation and true spiritual freedom can only be achieved through ultimate redemption—a state where even the lingering shadow of sin has no hold. Central to the work’s message is the transformative power of a direct encounter with the divine, specifically through an authentic vision of Jesus. This encounter is portrayed as the decisive moment when all sin is rendered powerless, effectively neutralized in the light of divine glory. The assurance of this redemption is so potent that it promises a permanent cessation of sin’s influence, marking the transition from the struggle of mortal imperfection to the consummation of grace. Overall, the composition functions both as a personal confession of the torment wrought by sin and a robust declamation of the hope and salvation available through unwavering faith. It sets forth the idea that while human nature is inherently prone to sin, divine grace offers a comprehensive remedy—a liberation not won by personal merit but granted through the transformative encounter with the true essence of Christ. This portrayal challenges the believer to persist in faith, recognizing that even the smallest transgression holds the potential to mar the promise of eternal, radiant glory if left unaddressed.
By John Newton · First published 1779 · Genre: Christian hymn, Religious poetry, Devotional literature · 216 words
First lines
I: Holy Lord God! I love thy truth, / Nor dare thy least commandments slight; / Yet pierced by sin, the serpent's tooth, / I mourn the anguish of the bite.
II: But though the poison lurks within, / Hope bids me still with patience wait; / Till death shall set me free from sin, / Free from the only thing I hate.
III: Had I a throne above the rest, / Where angels and archangels dwell, / One sin, unslain, within my breast, / Would make that heav'n as dark as hell.
IV: The pris'ner, sent to breathe fresh air, / And bless'd with liberty again, / Would mourn were he condemn'd to wear / One link of all his former chain.
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Holy Lord God! I Love Thy Truth 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, Spiritual literature, Inspirational literature
- Length: 216 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Holy Lord God! I Love Thy Truth by John Newton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Christian hymn — The work is structured as a hymn intended for worship and liturgical use, expressing reverence and devotion.
- Religious poetry — It employs poetic form and language to convey spiritual themes and theological reflection.
- Devotional literature — The text serves as a tool for personal and communal meditation on faith, sin, and redemption.
- Spiritual literature — It explores the inner spiritual struggle and the journey towards divine truth and liberation.
Tags
Christianity · Hymn · Religious · Worship · Faith · Devotional · Prayer · Inspiration · Scriptural · Divine · Spiritual · Salvation