During the past week or so, I have been listening to and pondering John Newton’s hymn, I Asked The Lord That I Might Grow. Today, I decided to do a post on it.
In my contemplation of the song, I realized that it’s contents agreed with the beatitudes, that God works poverty of spirit into His children via trials and growing awareness of their spiritual bankruptcy. And that Newton’s song reflected that struggle, in terms of how it is experienced by the pilgrim.
I did a search to see if I could find lyrics set to music because I wanted to ask the pastor of the church I attend to consider it for singing on occasion; I found the following review early in my search.
Although the reviewer did not mention the beatitudes, he obviously thought far more on the lyrics than I had and he pointed out the many scripture references that Newton likely considered as he penned the hymn.
I was happy to find this site, because it offers biblical critiques on music, The Berean Test.
I highlighted Newton’s lyrics in pink font to make them stand out from the links and narrative.
About the author and site: https://www.thebereantest.com/about-the-berean-test
At Berean Test, scripture references in the song below pop up when your cursor rests on them: https://www.thebereantest.com/john-newton-i-asked-the-lord-that-i-might-grow
Songs reviewed at The Berean Test: https://www.thebereantest.com/song-review-index
The following post was copied and pasted from Berean Test:
by Vince Wright | March 15, 2020 | 11:59 am
Wright linked Sovereign Grace Music’s version of the song below, so I uploaded it:
Former slave trader John Newton is best known for his song Amazing Grace. If you are interested in his background, read the introduction to Amazing Grace.
He wrote other hymns, including Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken, How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds!, and I Asked The Lord That I Might Grow.
Edward Miller wrote the tune to Newton’s I Asked The Lord That I Might Grow.
Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site! Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.
- What message does the song communicate?
This song is a testimony on one of Newton’s discoveries, namely, that personal growth occurs through suffering.
Newton prays for increased trust in God, lovingkindness for others, and undeserved favor granted to both believers and unbelievers. He hopes to receive these without struggling. To his surprise and dismay, God tests Newton, forcing him to confront his sin and experience humiliation. Newton cried out to God, wondering why He answered Newton’s prayer in this manner.
The last verse contains God’s response to Newton. Speaking for God is a very dangerous prospect which ought to handle with care. Old Testament prophets were killed for falsely speaking on God’s behalf. With that in mind, Newton speaks accurately about God’s intent in answering Newton’s prayer. God’s goal is to discipline Newton so that he could bear fruit, using trials to accomplish it.
Score: 10/10
- How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
All of it lines up with Scripture.
This song is public domain.
[Verse 1]
I asked the Lord that I might grow
in faith and love and ev’ry grace;
Newton prays for excellent things, to grow in:
- faith (Luke 17:5 and Colossians 2:6-7)
- love (Philippians 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 3:12, 2 Thessalonians 1:3)
- grace (2 Peter 3:18)
might more of his salvation know,
and seek more earnestly his face.
He also prayers for increased intimate knowledge of Jesus (2 Peter 3:18) and for heightened desire to seek God’s face (Psalm 24:6, Psalm 27:8, Psalm 105:4, and Hosea 5:15).
[Verse 2]
’Twas he who taught me thus to pray,
and he, I trust, has answered pray’r,
but it has been in such a way
as almost drove me to despair.
Newton acknowledges that God taught him to pray, perhaps alluding to Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. Scripture is replete with both examples of answered prayer, but, as Newton will soon discover, does not guarantee a green light response. Rather, He promises to hear us (1 John 5:14-15).
[Verse 3]
I hoped that in some favored hour
at once he’d answer my request,
and by his love’s constraining pow’r
subdue my sins and give me rest.
Newton was hoping his prayer for increased faith, love, and grace would come without trials or struggle.
[Verse 4]
Instead of this he made me feel
the hidden evils of my heart,
and let the angry pow’rs of hell
assault my soul in ev’ry part.
Rather than completely remove tribulation, God’s response to Newton is a resounding “no”. Why would God do that? Verse 7 answers this question.
[Verse 5]
Yea more, with his own hand he seemed
intent to aggravate my woe,
crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
humbled my heart, and laid me low.
Newton continues to complain about his trials, humiliated and dejected.
[Verse 6]
“Lord, why is this?” I, trembling, cried;
“Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?”
“Tis in this way,” the Lord replied,
“I answer prayer for grace and faith.”
Newton cries out to the Lord, not understanding God’s intent expressed in Verse 5.
[Verse 7]
“These inward trials I employ
from self and pride to set thee free,
and break thy schemes of earthly joy
that thou may’st find thy all in me.”
God’s response to Newton is to discipline him, humbling and pruning him to bear more fruit (John 15:1-11 and Hebrews 12:4-11).
Score: 10/10
- How would an outsider interpret the song?
Despite its archaism style, unbelievers will easily understand this as Newton’s prayer offered to God. The end of Verse 2 will intrigue many to keep listening, especially given the surge of positively answered prayer. Verses 4 and 5 will seem contrary to the loving God that Christians espouse, perhaps causing them to ask the same questions that Newton does in Verse 6. Verse 7 is God’s response, easily comprehensible and may cause those outside the camp of Christ to think differently about why God allows bad things to occur.
Score: 10/10
- What does this song glorify?
It glorifies God through its wonderful teaching on growth through endurance.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
John Newton’s I Asked The Lord That I Might Grow is a great testimonial teaching on the benefits of suffering: increased faith, love, and grace. Both believers and unbelievers can easily digest this God-glorifying classic.
Though a powerful testimony, this doesn’t seem to be a song that focuses on worshipping God in a corporate setting. Still, I’m sure that creative worship directors could find some use for this archaic tune. Perhaps as an opening song, in the rock and roll style?
Final Score: 10/10
Artist Info
Track: I Asked The Lord That I Might Grow (listen to Sovereign Grace Music’s version of the song)
Artist: John Newton
Album: N/A
Genre: Hymn
Release Year: 1779
Duration: N/A
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Updates:
03/25/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.