# Another explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

This hymn reflects on the healing waters of Bethesda's pool as a metaphor for the grace of Christ, which can heal the sin-sick soul. It laments that many, though near the means of grace, remain in unbelief and are hindered by the love of sin and Satan's influence, and it prays for the Saviour to interpose and constrain stubborn wills.

## Themes in this chapter

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The healing waters symbolize the free and powerful grace of Christ that can cleanse and restore the sin-sick soul.

### Spiritual Warfare

Satan actively works to seal consciences and stupefy thought, hindering sinners from coming to Christ for healing.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

Invoked as the dear Saviour who must interpose to overcome stubborn wills and make grace effective.

### Satan

Described as sealing consciences and stupefying thought, preventing sinners from seeking healing.

### The Narrator

The hymn's speaker observes the scene at Bethesda and prays for the Saviour's intervention.

## Key lines

> Here streams of wondrous virtue flow, To heal the sin-sick soul⁠— To wash the filthy white as snow, And make the wounded whole.

The grace of Christ flows like a powerful stream, cleansing the most sinful and restoring the spiritually broken.

_The imagery of washing white as snow evokes the cleansing power of Christ's blood._

> Yet numbers daily near them lie, Who meet with no relief; With life in view they pine and die In hopeless unbelief.

Many people remain close to the means of grace but never experience its healing because they refuse to believe.

_This highlights the tragedy of unbelief despite proximity to salvation._

> Do thou, dear Saviour, interpose, Their stubborn wills constrain; Or else to them the water flows And grace is preached in vain.

Only Christ's sovereign intervention can overcome human stubbornness; otherwise, even the preaching of grace is futile.

_The hymn concludes with a prayer for divine sovereignty in salvation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/113-another
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters