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A Believer, free from care The trembling jailer

John Newton printed it in 1779 in Olney Hymns, Book I, no. 123, under Acts 16:29–30.

WRITTEN BY

John Newton 1725–1807

PRINTED

1779 Olney Hymns · no. 123

METRE

7.7.7.7 4 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Acts 16:29–30 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 4 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

A Believer, free from care

A Believer, free from care,

May in chains, or dungeons, sing,

If the Lord be with him there;

And he happier than a king:

Paul and Silas thus confined,

Though their backs were torn by whips,

Yet possessing peace of mind,

Sung his praise wish joyful lips.

Where Newton found it

Newton printed the hymn under Acts 16:29–30. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

29Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” ACTS 16:29–30 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ ACTS 16

Suddenly the prison shook, Open flew the iron doors; And the jailer, terror–struck, Now his captives’ help implores: Trembling at their feet he fell, “Tell me, Sirs, what must I do To be saved from guilt and hell? None can tell me this but you.” STANZA II

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

NO. 123 · JOHN NEWTON · THIS HYMN A Believer, free from care

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