Olney Hymns · Chapter
108: The Believer’s Danger, Safety, and Duty explained
This hymn by Newton, based on Luke 22:31-32, warns believers of Satan's malicious intent to sift them like wheat, but reassures them of Christ's intercessory prayer that their faith will not fail.
What happens
This hymn by Newton, based on Luke 22:31-32, warns believers of Satan's malicious intent to sift them like wheat, but reassures them of Christ's intercessory prayer that their faith will not fail. It calls believers to vigilance and dependence on God, acknowledging that without the Lord's keeping, all human watchfulness is in vain.
Themes in this chapter
Spiritual Warfare
The hymn vividly portrays Satan as a subtle and watchful enemy who seeks to overthrow believers, and the need for constant vigilance.
Prayer and Dependence on God
Christ's intercessory prayer secures faith, and believers are called to watch and pray, acknowledging that without the Lord's keeping, all efforts are in vain.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
The Saviour who warns Simon and intercedes for believers, ensuring faith prevails.
- Satan
The subtle foe who seeks to sift believers as wheat and destroy their faith.
- Simon
The disciple directly addressed by Christ's warning, representing all believers.
- The Lord
The keeper of the city, without whom our watch is in vain.
Key passages
“Simon beware, the Saviour said— Satan, your subtle foe, Already has his measures laid Your soul to overthrow.”
The Saviour warned Simon that Satan, his cunning enemy, had already planned to destroy his soul.
The opening stanza directly echoes Jesus' warning to Peter at the Last Supper.
“He wants to sift you all as wheat, And thinks his vict'ry sure; But I his malice will defeat— My pray'r shall faith secure.”
Satan desires to shake you like wheat, confident of success, but Christ will thwart his evil intent through His prayer that your faith may not fail.
This stanza captures the essence of Luke 22:31-32, where Jesus assures Peter of His intercession.
“While Satan watches dare we sleep? We must our guard maintain; But, Lord, do thou the city keep, Or else we watch in vain.”
Since Satan is always on the lookout, we must not be careless but keep our guard; yet we acknowledge that unless the Lord protects us, our vigilance is useless.
The final stanza emphasizes the necessity of both human watchfulness and divine protection.