This excellent hymn was written by Haldor Lillenas. He was pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene. In 1919, he published his first book, and three years later, he organized his own publishing house. For the next 10 years, he travelled, preached, wrote hymns and published song books.
Incidentally, this hymn was sold off for only $5.00, which was just enough to pay for an old second hand little wheezy organ which he bought from his neighbour, on which this hymn was composed.
Lyrics and Music: Haldor Lillenas
Wonderful grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it, where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden, setting my spirit free,
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me!
Refrain:
Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Wonderful Grace, All-sufficient for me;
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame;
O magnify the precious name of Jesus, praise His name!
Wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching to all the lost,
By it I have been pardoned, saved to the uttermost;
Chains have been torn asunder, giving me liberty,
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me!
Wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching the most defiled,
By its transforming power, making him God’s dear child.
Purchasing peace and heaven for all eternity;
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me!
See http://www.faithalone.org/journal/1997i/Ward.html for an excellent writeup on this hymn.
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