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As some tall rock amidst the waves The death of STEPHEN

John Newton printed it in 1779 in Olney Hymns, Book I, no. 120, under Acts 7:54–60.

WRITTEN BY

John Newton 1725–1807

PRINTED

1779 Olney Hymns · no. 120

METRE

Long Metre 8.8.8.8 · 6 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Acts 7:54–60 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 6 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

As some tall rock amidst the waves

As some tall rock amidst the waves,

The fury of the tempest braves;

While the fierce billows toiling high,

Break at its foot and murm’ring die:

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 Acts 7:54–60. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

54On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were enraged, and they gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57At this they covered their ears, cried out in a loud voice, and rushed together at him. 58They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. ACTS 7:54–60 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ ACTS 7

With such a friend and witness near, No form of death could make him fear; Calm, amidst show’rs of stones, he kneels, And only for his murd’rers feels. STANZA V

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 120. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.

NO. 120 · JOHN NEWTON · THIS HYMN As some tall rock amidst the waves

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