Olney Hymns · Chapter
The Worldling explained
This poem contrasts the worldly man's false security in his abundant possessions with the sudden, awful judgment of God.
What happens
This poem contrasts the worldly man's false security in his abundant possessions with the sudden, awful judgment of God. It warns that those who live for earthly things and neglect their souls will face eternal ruin, while urging believers to heed the gospel and live for heaven.
Themes in this chapter
The Vanity of Worldly Things
The poem exposes the folly of trusting in earthly wealth and ease, which are fleeting and cannot secure the soul.
Hope of Heaven and Eternal Life
The closing stanza expresses the believer's hope of living above the skies when this poor life ends.
Characters to notice
- The Rich Man
The worldling who boasts of his barns and ease, only to hear God's sudden doom.
- Jesus Christ
The Lord who pronounces the worldling's doom and is the Saviour who makes believers wise.
- Death
The strong hand that tears the sinner away from his earthly possessions.
Key passages
“My barns are full, my stores increase, And now, for many years, Soul, eat and drink, and take thine ease, Secure from wants and fears.”
The worldling boasts of his abundant harvest and tells his soul to relax and enjoy life, thinking he is safe from any future need.
This mirrors the rich fool's self-assurance in the parable.
“This night, vain fool, thy soul must pass Into a world unknown; And who shall then the stores possess Which thou hast call'd thine own?”
God declares that the fool will die that very night, and his accumulated wealth will pass to someone else.
The suddenness of judgment is emphasized.
“Thus blinded mortals fondly scheme For happiness below, Till death disturbs the pleasing dream, And they awake to woe.”
People are spiritually blind and make plans for earthly happiness, but death shatters their illusions and they wake up to misery.
The metaphor of life as a dream and death as an awakening to reality.
“Wretches, who cleave to earthly things, But are not rich to God, Their dying hour is full of stings, And hell their dark abode.”
Those who cling to earthly possessions but are not spiritually rich before God will face a painful death and eternal damnation.
The contrast between earthly riches and being 'rich to God'.
“Dear Saviour, make us timely wise Thy gospel to attend, That we may live above the skies When this poor life shall end.”
The poet prays that Christ would make believers wise in time to heed the gospel, so that after death they may live in heaven.
The prayer for grace to live with eternity in view.