Great God of Wonders

great God of wonders, all Thy ways
are matchless, godlike, and divine,
but the fair glories of Thy grace
more godlike and unrivaled shine.

who is a pard'ning God like Thee,
or who has grace so rich and free?
or who has grace so rich and free?

in wonder lost, with trembling joy,
we take the pardon of our God,
pardon for crimes of deepest dye,
a pardon bought with Jesus' blood.

who is a pard'ning God like Thee,
or who has grace so rich and free?
or who has grace so rich and free?

oh may this strange, this matchless grace,
this godlike miracle of love
fill the whole earth with grateful praise
and all th'angelic choirs above.

who is a pard'ning God like Thee,
or who has grace so rich and free?
or who has grace so rich and free?
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this hymn, a john newton original (although messed with a little bit for the sake of a new tune), is gorgeous. i love the way it refocuses perspective on the Gospel, forcing me to think about the pure shock-value the gospel has.
1) the most amazing fact about God is that, given His autonomy, self-sufficiency, and zillions of other characteristics, He would choose to love and pursue us - He would choose to have a gracious disposition toward us. while this is totally in line with His character, it is also mindblowing.
2) the resounding theme of the song, obviously, is "who does this?"
3) i feel like so much of this song is self-explanatory that to break it down would detract from it.
4) we should be in awe of this grace, because it is shocking.
5) we should be overflowing with praise on account of this grace, because it is such a precious gift.