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PRAISE Praise to the Redeemer Prepare a thankful song To the Redeemer's name! His praises should employ each tongue, And every heart inflame! He laid his glory by, And dreadful pains endured, That rebels, such as you and I, From wrath might he secured. Upon the cross he died, Our debt of sin to pay; The blood and water from his side Wash guilt and filth away. And now he pleading stands For us, before the throne, And answers all the Law's demands With what himself hath done. He sees us, willing slaves To sin, and Satan's power; But, with an outstretched arm, he saves, In his appointed hour. The Holy Ghost he sends Our stubborn souls to move; To make his enemies his friends, And conquer them by love. The love of sin departs, The life of grace takes place, Soon as his voice invites our hearts To rise and seek his face. The world and Satan rage, But he their power controls; His wisdom, love, and truth, engage Protection for our souls. Though pressed, we will not yield, But shall prevail at length, For Jesus is our sun and shield, Our righteousness and strength. Assured that Christ our king, Will put our foes to flight, We, on the field of battle, sing And triumph, while we fight.		from John Newton's Diary, relevant to this hymn: Tuesday 25 July 1775 The morning meeting well attended. Some I hear were remarkably favoured with the Lord’s blessing. It was a poor time and a poor day with me. My mind beset with evil, the hours poorly spent. In the evening I found something to say from Psalm 93:1, but without forethought or connection, and almost without feeling. Yet I thought I came home better than I went. My dear went yesterday to consult the apothecary at Northampton about the child – found as suspected a return of the distemper which gave us some trouble in March, so that she and Sally must again be put under quarantine. But I hope my dear and I have escaped this time. Psalm 93:1,2 The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved. Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting. to John Thornton 26 July 1775: Just while I am writing I am told… that it is reported our Army has been defeated with much loss by the Americans. Whether it be true I know not, but my mind expects little better news. I must retreat to this thought, That the Lord reigns and will surely accomplish his own purposes. He bids those who fear him not be troubled, though they hear of wars and rumours of wars, for he will be their sanctuary, and take care of all their concerns.   Thursday 27 July Met the children; they are now a pretty company near forescore. In the evening preached, a good congregation considering the season, as Harvest is now begun. Our maid Molly came home; she had been with Dr Rait, who seems to apprehend her complaints are too deeply rooted to admit an easy cure. Psalm 119:135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.   Saturday 29 July The week closes as usual with mercies, which I desire to set against our few trials, so as to be thankful, and not let the sense of a few inconveniences hide our many blessings from our view. At Mr Thornton’s request drew up a short preface for his New Edition of the first part of the Pilgrim’s Progress with notes chiefly by Mr King. In the evening retired to seek a blessing on the Sabbath.   Sunday 30 July Helped through the day. I hope my soul is concerned not only to have something to say to the people, but that the word may be blessed to them and to myself. I think I long for a revival, but alas my heart is like tinder, easily caught by every spark of temptation. There has been another engagement in America, in which our forces had the advantage, but dearly bought; the Lord only knows what be the event, and whether a victory may not be as hurtful in its consequences, as a defeat. Spoke from Hymn No. 114 [214]; had a full house. Psalm 123:1,2  Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men… Hymn No. [214] It seems Newton meant to write “214” rather than “114”. [On this date Newton preached from the above texts at his church, St Peter & St Paul, Olney, during the morning and afternoon services, and from this hymn at the informal evening service]

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Hymn: MS Eng 1317, Houghton Library, Harvard University
Diary: John Newton Collection, CO199, Princeton University