The Good That I Would Do, I Do Not explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Human Sinfulness and Depravity

  The speaker describes being prone to ill and unable to do good, highlighting the inherent sinfulness of humanity.

• Grace and Unmerited Favor

  The speaker acknowledges that any good desire is a work of God's grace, and pleads for God to complete the work He has begun.

Characters to notice

• The Narrator

  Expresses the internal conflict of wanting to do good but being unable to, due to sin and Satan.

• Satan

  Described as meeting the speaker when trying to pray, frightening the soul away.

• Jesus Christ

  Implored to soften the stony heart and provide the strength to do good.

• God

  Acknowledged as the one whose will is best, and from whom help must come.

Key passages

• “I would, but cannot sing— Guilt has untuned my voice, The serpent sin’s envenom’d sting Has poison’d all my joys.”

  I want to praise God, but my guilt prevents me; sin has poisoned my happiness.

  The speaker expresses how sin and guilt hinder worship and joy.

• “I know the Lord is nigh, And would, but cannot pray; For Satan meets me when I try, And frights my soul away.”

  I know God is near, and I want to pray, but Satan attacks me and scares me away.

  The speaker describes spiritual warfare that prevents prayer.

• “I would, but can’t repent, Though I endeavour oft; This stony heart can ne’er relent Till Jesus make it soft.”

  I want to repent, but I can't; my heart is hard and only Jesus can soften it.

  The speaker acknowledges the need for divine intervention to enable repentance.

• “But if indeed I would, Though I can nothing do; Yet the desire is something good, For which my praise is due.”

  Even though I can't do anything, the fact that I have the desire is good, and I should be thankful for that.

  The speaker recognizes that even the desire to do good is a gift from God.