This is such a sweet hymn of comfort and a reminder of the very near, providential care of our great God. The structure of the hymn verses are a delightful reminder of dual realities and the immovable permanence we have in Christ.
First, we live in a very fallen world. There are great, dark hours of the soul that we face even as Jesus‘ disciples. There are conflicts obvious and surprising that arise that threaten to overwhelm us. There is the distress of sin in our lives and we carry in our hearts. There is spiritual indifference that plagues us. Indeed the world and hell itself seems arrayed against us.
Each verse then contains an interlude which is essentially an inquiry into the distinction between those who are in Christ and those who are in the world. Yes the world flies in the face of danger, bends before sins draw and it’s power, worries unendingly about tomorrow, etc. , not so for those who are in Christ.
Despite the troubles we face in this world, we must not believe or conclude that our travails get the final word. So John Newton turns our attention to the sufficiency of the incarnate God, Jesus Christ. Like the author of Hebrews he calls us to fix our eyes on the sufficiency and greatness of Jesus. So our troubles are great, but greater is the King of kings. Newton turns to the rich themes of Jesus is atonement for us, he has high Priestly laborers on our behalf, his indescribable power which was exerted in his resurrection, etc. , ending each verse with a punctuated acclamation of Jesus’ greatness