# The Good That I Would Do, I Do Not explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

The speaker laments the inability to do good due to sin and Satan's interference, expressing a desire for God's help and strength to overcome this spiritual struggle.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/126-the-good-that-i-would-do-i-do-not
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters