Room for Rebels

The English dissenter and hymnist Isaac Watts (1674-1748) wrote “None excluded from hope,” which appeared in The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts (1719) as “Hymn 34 Part 2.” It has 6 stanzas in common meter. Watts tied these hymn thoughts especially to two texts of scripture, Romans 1:16 and 1 Corinthians 1:24. Salvation is to all them that are called, to everyone who believes, whether Jew or Greek.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:24

Though reprinted in a number of words-only hymn books, it seems to have not been that popular of a choice in tune books. In fact, the Hymnary.org has only one printing of “None excluded from hope” paired with music on their site. It is No. 307 in the Hymn and Tune Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South placed under the tune Sawley by James Walch (1837-1901).

Since the hymn is not “emotionally attached” to any particular tune, I would suggest choosing some fine old tune such as Detroit, Mear, or Ortonville. Pisgah is a great serviceable tune for almost any common meter hymn. Find a tune and sing it!

None excluded from hope. Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:24.

1. Jesus, thy blessings are not few,
Nor is thy gospel weak;
Thy grace can melt the stubborn Jew,
And bow th’ aspiring Greek.

2. Wide as the reach of Satan’s rage
Doth thy salvation flow;
’Tis not confined to sex or age,
The lofty or the low.

3. While grace is offered to the prince,
The poor may take their share;
No mortal has a just pretense
To perish in despair.

4. Be wise, ye men of strength and wit,
Nor boast your native powers;
But to his sovereign grace submit,
And glory shall be yours.

5. Come, all ye vilest sinners, come,
He’ll form your souls anew;
His gospel and his heart have room
For rebels such as you.

6. His doctrine is almighty love;
There’s virtue in his name
To turn the raven to a dove,
The lion to a lamb.