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Pensive, doubting, fearful heart To the afflicted, tossed with tempests and not comforted

John Newton printed it in 1779 in Olney Hymns, Book I, no. 63, under Isaiah 44:5–11.

WRITTEN BY

John Newton 1725–1807

PRINTED

1779 Olney Hymns · no. 63

METRE

7.7.7.7 5 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Isaiah 44:5–11 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 5 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

Pensive, doubting, fearful heart

Pensive, doubting, fearful heart,

Hear what CHRIST the Savior says;

Every word should joy impart,

Change thy mourning into praise:

Yes, he speaks, and speaks to thee,

May he help thee to believe!

Then thou presently wilt see,

Thou hast little cause to grieve.

Where Newton found it

Newton printed the hymn under Isaiah 44:5–11. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

5One will say, ‘I belong to the LORD,’ another will call himself by the name of Jacob, and still another will write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and will take the name of Israel.” 6Thus says the LORD, the King and Redeemer of Israel, the LORD of Hosts: “I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God but Me. 7Who then is like Me? Let him say so! Let him declare his case before Me, since I established an ancient people. Let him foretell the things to come, and what is to take place. 8Do not tremble or fear. Have I not told you and declared it long ago? You are My witnesses! Is there any God but Me? There is no other Rock; I know not one.” 9All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. 10Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? 11Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ISAIAH 44:5–11 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ ISAIAH 44

“Fear thou not, nor be ashamed, All thy sorrows soon shall end I who heav’n and earth have framed, Am thy husband and thy friend I the High and Holy One, Israel’s GOD by all adored; As thy Savior will be known, Thy Redeemer and thy Lord. 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 63. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.

NO. 63 · JOHN NEWTON · THIS HYMN Pensive, doubting, fearful heart

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