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This precious hymn has been instrumental in drawing quite a few people to Christ. There are stories about people hearing the hymn sung during a church service, and on hearing the words of the hymn, they were driven to ask for salvation. Charles Spurgeon mentioned the following story:
There was an actress that was walking through the town where she lived that heard voices in a poor shack. She looked through the door and saw a few very poor people gathered and singing this hymn. The words caught her attention and she was invited inside, and left afterwards. The words of the hymn, however, did not leave her and she hunted down a hymnbook so she could have them. She began reading her Bible and attending church, and bowed in deep humility to God, choosing to renounce the stage and acting. This decision was made after long consideration, and was done privately, not telling anyone of her decision. The theater manager visited her one morning and used every means to get her back on stage to star in his play, including ridicule and the prospect of financial ruin to the whole company. He finally tried promising to never ask her to act again if she would just return one more time. She agreed, and on entering the first scene, her character is supposed to open with a song. The orchestra played, but she stood as if lost. The music restarted, but she did not sing. The band started again, and pausing where she was supposed to begin singing, she sang out instead this hymn. Needless to say, the play was over, and she was greatly ridiculed, but some did consider their ways from her stand and the change that had come over her. After that the change was permanent, and she eventually became the wife of a minister.
Spurgeon said of mercy:
If we get a crumb from God's table, it is a mercy; if we get a promise out of his Word, it is a mercy; if we get anything from the Lord, it is a mercy; but if we receive forgiveness of sin, what a mercy is that! Did you ever try to fathom the depth of mercy that lies in the forgiveness of a single sin? There are some sins in our lives which will always be remembered by us. That night, when you gave way to that one particular fit of temper, which led to that one dreadful act of sin, has God forgiven that? Ah! Yes, for "all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men." When you cannot forgive yourself, yet you may know that God has, for Christ's sake, forgiven you. You may have all the more pleasure in knowing that he has forgiven you because you cannot forgive yourself.
Depth of Mercy
This hymn was at first titled “After a Relapse into Sin.” It was in the Wesley hymnal, Hymns and Sacred Poems, in 1741. It had thirteen stanzas.
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Related Verses:
“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee” (Psalm 86:5).
“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee” (Isaiah 44:22).
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).
“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not his anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18-19).
“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).
“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved)” (Ephesians 2:4-5).
“And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:14-15).
Sources
Paul Eckert, Steve Green's MIDI Hymnal: A Complete Toolkit for Personal Devotions and Corporate Worship., Electronic ed. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1998)
Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1990) page 175.
K.W. Osbeck, 101 More Hymn Stories (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1985) page 74.
Charles H. Spurgeon, vol. 2, Spurgeon's Sermons: Volume 2, electronic ed., Logos Library System; Spurgeon's Sermons (Albany, OR: Ages Software, 1998) No. 81-82
Donald A. Spencer, Hymn and Scripture Selection Guide: A Cross-Reference Tool for Worship Leaders, Revised and expanded edition (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1993).
C.H. Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Sermons: Volume 40, electronic ed., Logos Library System (Albany, OR: Ages Software, 1998).
