The Two Malefactors

A hymn by John Newton, based on Luke 23:32, 39-43:

Sovereign grace has pow’r alone
To subdue a heart of stone;
And the moment grace is felt,
Then the hardest heart will melt.

When the Lord was crucified,
Two transgressors with him died;
One with vile blaspheming tongue,
Scoffed at JESUS as he hung.

Thus he spent his wicked breath,
In the very jaws of death
Perished, as too many do,
With the Savior in his view.

But the other, touched with grace,
Saw the danger of his case;
Faith received to own the LORD,
Whom the scribes and priests abhorred.

“Lord, he prayed, remember me;
When in glory thou shalt be:”
“Soon with me, the Lord replies,
Thou shalt rest in paradise.”

This was wondrous grace indeed,
Grace vouchsafed in time of need!
Sinners trust in Jesu’s name,
You shall find him still the same.

But beware of unbelief,
Think upon the hardened thief;
If the gospel you disdain,
CHRIST, to you, will die in vain.