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When any turn from Zion’s way Will ye also go away?

John Newton printed it in 1779 in Olney Hymns, Book I, no. 115, under John 6:67–69.

WRITTEN BY

John Newton 1725–1807

PRINTED

1779 Olney Hymns · no. 115

METRE

Common Metre 8.6.8.6 · 7 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

John 6:67–69 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 7 stanzas as Newton printed them, with the verses their lines echo beside them. Point at a line to join it to its verse; click to read the passage.

SHARED WORDSthe verse shares the line's wording ECHOproposed by an AI model, confirmed by a separate check Not the author's own notes

AMONG THE SCRIPTURES

The stanzas at the centre; around them, every book its heading and its echoes come from, Old Testament on the left and New on the right. Choose a stanza or a book.

a line echoes this verse its heading or an echo comes from here

STANZA I

When any turn from Zion’s way

When any turn from Zion’s way,

(Alas! what numbers do!)

Methinks I hear my Savior say,

“Wilt thou forsake me too?”

No line of this stanza quotes a verse closely; it is the hymn's own confession.

Where Newton found it

Newton printed the hymn under John 6:67–69. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

67So Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you want to leave too?” 68Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.” JOHN 6:67–69 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ JOHN 6

Yet thou alone hast pow’r, I know, To save a wretch like me; To whom, or whither, could I go, If I should turn from thee? STANZA III

Its place in the book

Book I of Olney Hymns walks through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, one hymn per passage: 141 hymns. This is number 115. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.

NO. 115 · JOHN NEWTON · THIS HYMN When any turn from Zion’s way

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