Olney Hymns · Chapter
Pleading for and with Youth explained
The chapter is a hymn that acknowledges humanity's fallen state due to sin, celebrates Jesus's redemptive work, and fervently prays for the youth to heed God's truth, turn from impending judgment, and prepare to meet their God in the new ye
What happens
The chapter is a hymn that acknowledges humanity's fallen state due to sin, celebrates Jesus's redemptive work, and fervently prays for the youth to heed God's truth, turn from impending judgment, and prepare to meet their God in the new year.
Themes in this chapter
Grace and Unmerited Favor
The hymn highlights God's richest grace and almighty power as the means of blessing and salvation for the youth.
Prayer and Dependence on God
The entire hymn is a prayer for the youth, expressing dependence on God to save and alarm them.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
Restored the sinful race and brings sinners face to face with God's forgiveness.
- The Lord
Implored to give youth attentive ears and save them by His truth.
- Sin
Personified as the cause of humanity's wretched condition.
Key passages
“Sin has undone our wretched race. But Jesus has restored And brought the sinner face to face With his forgiving Lord.”
Humanity is ruined by sin, but Jesus has repaired the damage and enables sinners to encounter God's forgiveness directly.
Summarizes the redemptive work of Christ.
“We feel for your unhappy state, (May you regard it too!) And would awhile ourselves forget, To pour out prayer for you.”
We are deeply concerned about your miserable condition, and we hope you will also realize it; we are willing to set aside our own concerns to pray earnestly for you.
Expresses the intercessory heart of the speaker.
“Dear Saviour, let this new-born year Spread an alarm abroad; And cry in every careless ear “Prepare to meet thy God!””
Dear Savior, make this new year a time of widespread warning, and call out to every indifferent person, 'Get ready to face your God!'
A plea for awakening and preparation for judgment.