Olney Hymns · Chapter
The Rebel’s Surrender to Grace.–Lord, What Wilt Thou Have Me to Do? explained
The poem depicts a rebellious sinner who, after long resistance, is conquered by divine love and mercy.
What happens
The poem depicts a rebellious sinner who, after long resistance, is conquered by divine love and mercy. The speaker acknowledges past defiance and blasphemy, but upon seeing a bleeding Savior and receiving pardon, surrenders fully to God, dedicating all faculties to His service.
Themes in this chapter
Grace and Unmerited Favor
The poem celebrates the irresistible grace of God that conquers even the most stubborn rebel.
Redemption and Salvation
The speaker experiences redemption and salvation through Christ's sacrifice, moving from rebellion to surrender.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
The speaker of the poem, a former rebel who surrenders to grace.
- Jesus Christ
The bleeding Savior whose love and sacrifice conquer the rebel's heart.
- Satan
The adversary in whose cause the rebel previously served.
- Grace
Personified as the mighty force that compels surrender.
Key passages
“Lord, thou hast won—at length I yield— My heart, by mighty grace compell’d, Surrenders all to thee;”
Lord, you have finally triumphed; I give in, my heart forced by your powerful grace, and I surrender everything to you.
The opening lines express the speaker's complete capitulation to divine grace.
“But since thou hast thy love reveal’d, And shown my soul a pardon seal’d, I can resist no more.”
But because you have shown me your love and assured me of my forgiveness, I can no longer resist.
The revelation of love and pardon breaks the speaker's resistance.
“If thou hadst bid thy thunders roll, And lightnings flash, to blast my soul, I still had stubborn been; But mercy has my heart subdued— A bleeding Saviour I have view’d, And now I hate my sin.”
If you had sent thunder and lightning to destroy me, I would have remained stubborn; but your mercy has softened my heart—I have seen the bleeding Savior, and now I hate my sin.
The contrast between judgment and mercy highlights the transformative power of seeing Christ's sacrifice.