STUDY / LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE / HYMNS

What a mournful life is mine Dwelling in Mesech

John Newton printed it in 1779 in Olney Hymns, Book I, no. 51, under Psalm 120:5–7.

WRITTEN BY

John Newton 1725–1807

PRINTED

1779 Olney Hymns · no. 51

METRE

7.7.7.7 9 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Psalm 120:5–7 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 9 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

What a mournful life is mine

What a mournful life is mine,

Fill with crosses, pains and cares!

Every work defiled with sin,

Every step beset with snares!

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 Psalm 120:5–7. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

5Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar! 6Too long have I dwelt among those who hate peace. 7I am in favor of peace; but when I speak, they want war. PSALM 120:5–7 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ PSALM 120

Though constrained to dwell a while Where the wicked strive and brawl; Let them frown; so he but smile, Heav’n will make amends for all. STANZA VII

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

NO. 51 · JOHN NEWTON · THIS HYMN What a mournful life is mine

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