Grace 'Tis a Charming Sound
Grace 'tis a charming sound
The hymn embodies Lutheran understanding of grace as God's unmerited favor freely given to sinners through faith in Christ. It resonates with the Reformation emphasis on sola gratia (grace alone) and the transformative power of divine mercy in human salvation.
History & Background
Written by English hymn writer Samuel Medley in 1775, this hymn celebrates the wonder of God's grace. It was widely adopted in evangelical Protestant hymnals and appeared in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 374.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 389
- Trinity Hymnal — 526
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 374
Bulletin Note
Composed by Samuel Medley in 1775, this hymn embodies the Reformation cry of sola gratia—grace alone—and remains a singable, joyful testimony to God's unmerited favor toward sinners.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Gospel's proclamation of free grace to sinners, making it a powerful response to any sermon emphasizing our helplessness under the Law and our absolute dependence on Christ's mercy.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From Law (fear and dread) to Gospel (glad tidings, peace, and God's grace revealed in Christ's birth)
Themes
Grace Salvation through faith Divine mercy Joy in redemption God's love