"Safely Through Another Week"

John Newton (1725-1807) wrote “Safely Through Another Week.” Newton led an adventurous life before being saved. His mother died in his childhood and he only managed to obtain two years of schooling before joining his father on the sea. He deserted the Navy and was flogged for it, then he got captured in Africa and lived as a slave for several months. At the age of 23, he managed to obtain a copy of a book by Thomas a Kempis which was instrumental in his conversion to Christ. Not long after, he spent a horrible night at sea fighting for his life in a ship that was rotten and sinking, but he made it out alive. Then, he became a commander of a slave ship for about six years, until he left the sea to study Greek, Latin and Hebrew with the Nonconformists and Wesleys. The most famous tune he wrote was “Amazing Grace.” Eventually, he and William Cowper began publishing religious hymns, like “Safely Through Another Week,” through the publishing company they founded, Olney Publishing.

Lowell Mason’s (1792-1872) tune, “Sabbath,” is the melody used to the religious hymn, “Safely Through Another Week.” Even though he had a love of music from childhood, Mason became a bank officer in Savannah, GA, and only followed his music as an avocation. Eventually, he began to compose music and submit it for publication, only to be rejected time and again. Eventually, Handel and Haydn Society of Boston published a collection of his work, without his knowledge. And this collection became very popular among singing schools. With that, he moved to Boston to pursue a career in music and became the very first public school music teacher.

“Safely Through Another Week”

Safely through another week God has brought us on our way;

Let us now a blessing seek, on th’approaching Sabbath day;

Day of all the week the best, emblem of eternal rest,

Day of all the week the best, emblem of eternal rest.

Mercies multiplied each hour through the week our praise demand;

Guarded by almighty power, fed and guided by His hand;

Though ungrateful we have been, only made returns of sin,

Though ungrateful we have been, only made returns of sin.

While we pray for pardoning grace, through the dear Redeemer’s Name,

Show Thy reconciled face, shine away our sin and shame;

From our worldly cares set free, may we rest this night with Thee,

From our worldly cares set free, may we rest this night with Thee.

Here we come Thy Name to praise, let us feel Thy presence near,

May Thy glory meet our eyes, while we in Thy house appear:

Here afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast,

Here afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast.

When the morn shall bid us rise, may we feel Thy presence near:

May Thy glory meet our eyes, when we in Thy house appear:

There afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast,

There afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast.

May Thy Gospel’s joyful sound conquer sinners, comfort saints;

May the fruits of grace abound, bring relief for all complaints;

Thus may all our Sabbaths prove till we join the church above,

Thus may all our Sabbaths prove till we join the church above!

Two other melodies have been used alternatively for “Safely Through Another Week:” Edward J. Hopkin’s “St. Athanasius,” and Johann G. Ebeling’s “Voller Wunder.”

“Safely Through Another Week”

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