Lord, who Hast Suffer'D all for Me
The work meditates on the paradox of divine grace amid human suffering. It begins with an appeal for divine assistance in bearing personal crosses, emphasizing that the burden of suffering is shared with a higher purpose. The text draws on vivid biblical imagery to suggest that divine rebuke—though harsh—is not a cause for despair but an opportunity for humble reflection and repentance. It compares the experience of suffering to well-known biblical events, implying that even great figures, when confronted with God's disapproval, demonstrated humility and submission. The verses propose that personal distress should not be seen as an isolated misfortune; rather, it is intertwined with a broader spiritual narrative that includes past communal failures and hidden, unconfessed sins. The work challenges the notion of self-centered agony by asserting that external afflictions were endured by the divine, and thus individual lamentations—no matter how profound—do not amount to a rightful complaint when considered in the light of the complete redemptive sacrifice. By invoking symbols like the unburnt yet burning bush, the text questions common perceptions about divine anger and human suffering. It contrasts the visible, sometimes brutal, manifestations of divine justice with the internal, equally severe spiritual struggle experienced by the faithful. This tension is resolved by urging the believer to adopt a posture of quiet mourning and reflective repentance rather than angry self-pity. Ultimately, the passage calls for an acceptance of suffering as a means of spiritual purification and growth. It encourages the reader to eschew self-indulgence in personal pain and instead see it within the context of a larger, redemptive narrative where every trial carries a hidden purpose. The work insists that true understanding of one's distress emerges when it is shared in the remembrance of divine sacrifice, fostering a spirit of humility and submission rather than pride and defiance.
By John Newton · First published 1779 · Genre: Christian hymn, Religious poetry, Devotional literature · 243 words
First lines
I: Lord, who hast suffer'd all for me, / My peace and pardon to procure, / The lighter cross I bear for thee / Help me with patience to endure.
II: The storm of loud repining hush, / I would in humble silence mourn; / Why should th unburnt though burning bush / Be angry as the crackling thorn?
III: Man should not faint at thy rebuke, / Like Joshua falling on his face, / When the cursed thing that Achan took / Brought Isr'el into just disgrace.
IV: Perhaps some golden wedge suppress'd, / Some secret sin, offends my God; / Perhaps that Babylonish vest, / Self-righteousness, provokes the rod.
Genres
- Christian hymn — The work is primarily a hymn with themes of redemption and Christ's sacrifice, making it central to Christian worship.
- Religious poetry — The text employs structured poetic language and imagery to convey deep theological and spiritual themes.
- Devotional literature — It invites personal meditation on faith, suffering, and divine grace, serving as a tool for spiritual reflection.
- Liturgical text — Its form and content render it suitable for performance in communal worship and church services.
Tags
Christian · Religious · Hymn · Salvation · Redemption · Divine Grace · Atonement · Worship · Meditation · Suffering · Mercy · Forgiveness
What this Textopian page supports
Lord, who Hast Suffer'D all for Me 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, Liturgical text, Spiritual autobiography
- Length: 243 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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