# My Name Is Jacob explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

The speaker, likening himself to Jacob wrestling with the angel, refuses to let go of God until he receives a blessing. He confesses his past rebellion and sin, acknowledges God's mercy and faithfulness through many years, and pleads boldly for continued grace, trusting that God will not let him sink.

## Themes in this chapter

### Prayer and Dependence on God

The speaker's persistent prayer and refusal to let go of God until he receives a blessing.

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The speaker acknowledges his past rebellion and sin, yet relies on God's mercy and grace to sustain him.

## Character check-ins

### Jacob

The speaker identifies with Jacob, who wrestled with God and would not let go until he received a blessing.

### The Lord

The one to whom the speaker pleads, who has shown mercy and upheld him through many years.

### The Narrator

The speaker who confesses his past rebellion and now pleads for blessing.

## Key lines

> Nay, I cannot let thee go Till a blessing thou bestow

I refuse to release you until you grant me a blessing.

_The speaker's determination to persist in prayer._

> Dost thou ask me who I am? Ah, my Lord, thou know’st my name!

You ask who I am, but you already know my name.

_The speaker acknowledges God's omniscience._

> Thou didst once a wretch behold, In rebellion blindly bold, Scorn thy grace, thy power defy, That poor rebel, Lord, was I.

You once saw a miserable person, boldly rebellious, scorning your grace and defying your power—that rebel was me.

_Confession of past sin and rebellion._

> Once a sinner near despair Sought thy mercy-seat by prayer; Mercy heard and set him free— Lord, that mercy came to me.

A sinner in despair once prayed at your mercy seat, and mercy heard and freed him—that mercy came to me.

_The speaker recalls his own conversion experience._

> Many years have pass’d since then, Many changes I have seen, Yet have been upheld till now; Who could hold me up but thou?

Many years have passed, and I have seen many changes, yet I have been upheld until now; who else could hold me up but you?

_Acknowledgment of God's sustaining faithfulness._

> Thou hast help’d in every need, This emboldens me to plead; After so much mercy past, Canst thou let me sink at last?

You have helped in every need, which gives me courage to plead; after so much mercy in the past, can you let me sink now?

_The speaker's boldness based on past experiences of God's help._

> No—I must maintain my hold; ’Tis thy goodness makes me bold; I can no denial take, When I plead for Jesu’s sake.

No, I must hold on; your goodness makes me bold. I cannot accept a denial when I plead in Jesus' name.

_The speaker's resolve to persist in prayer, relying on Jesus' merit._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/10-my-name-is-jacob
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters