Olney Hymns · Chapter
The Effort-in Another Measure explained
A soul approaches the mercy-seat in prayer, burdened by sin and pressed by Satan, seeking rest and refuge in Jesus.
What happens
A soul approaches the mercy-seat in prayer, burdened by sin and pressed by Satan, seeking rest and refuge in Jesus. The poem emphasizes the promise of grace, the power of Christ's death as a defense against accusation, and the believer's resolve to believe despite inner turmoil.
Themes in this chapter
Prayer and Dependence on God
The entire poem is a prayer, approaching the mercy-seat with humility and pleading God's promise.
Grace and Unmerited Favor
The speaker relies on God's promised grace, acknowledging that guilty sinners may plead Christ's name.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
Addressed as the one who answers prayer at the mercy-seat, invites burdened souls, and speaks words of promised grace.
- Satan
Described as the fierce accuser who presses the soul sorely.
- The Narrator
The soul approaching the mercy-seat, burdened with sin, seeking rest and refuge.
Key passages
“Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat Where Jesus answers pray’r; There humbly fall before his feet, For none can perish there.”
Come, my soul, to the place of mercy where Jesus responds to prayer; bow down humbly before him, for no one is lost who comes there.
The opening stanza invites the soul to the mercy-seat, a place of safety and divine audience.
“Bow’d down beneath a load of sin, By Satan sorely press’d; By war without and fears within, I come to thee for rest.”
I am weighed down by sin and heavily attacked by Satan; facing conflict outside and fears inside, I come to you for peace.
Describes the believer's condition of spiritual oppression and the need for rest in Christ.
“Be thou my shield and hiding-place! That, shelter’d near thy side, I may my fierce accuser face, And tell him, Thou hast died.”
Be my protection and refuge! So that, safe beside you, I can confront my fierce accuser and declare that you have died for me.
The believer seeks Christ's protection to withstand Satan's accusations, relying on the finished work of the cross.
“Oh wond’rous love, to bleed and die, To bear the cross and shame, That guilty sinners, such as I, Might plead thy gracious name.”
What amazing love it was to bleed and die, to endure the cross and its shame, so that guilty sinners like me could call upon your gracious name.
Marvels at the sacrificial love of Christ that makes salvation possible for sinners.
““Poor tempest-tossed soul, be still, My promised grace receive;” ’Tis Jesus speaks—I must, I will, I can, I do believe.”
Jesus says, 'Troubled soul, calm down and accept the grace I have promised.' It is Jesus who speaks—I must, I will, I can, I do believe.
The climax of the poem: Jesus' direct word of comfort and the believer's resolute response of faith.