# Contentment explained — Olney Hymns > Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton. ## What happens The poem reflects on the journey from restless passions to true contentment, found only in turning to the Lord and learning in the Saviour's school of grace. It contrasts human attempts to control the will with the peace that comes from submitting to Christ, who appoints our lot, compares our light troubles with His own suffering, and promises grace in life and comfort at death. ## Themes in this chapter ### Grace and Unmerited Favor The Saviour's grace supplies strength proportioned to each day, and His love endured suffering for us, teaching us contentment. ### Suffering and Affliction The poem acknowledges troubles and griefs, but contrasts them with everlasting pain and Christ's own suffering, leading to patient endurance. ## Character check-ins ### Jesus Christ The Saviour whose school teaches contentment, who speaks to the soul, compares His griefs with ours, appoints our lot, and promises grace and comfort. ### The Lord The one to whom we turn for calm content and peace, and who appoints our daily lot. ### The Narrator The speaker who once spent days in vain repinings but has learned contentment in the Saviour's school. ## Key lines > Fierce passions discompose the mind, As tempests vex the sea; But calm content and peace we find When, Lord, we turn to thee. Violent emotions disturb our thoughts like storms trouble the ocean, but we discover serenity and tranquility when we turn to the Lord. _Opening stanza contrasts inner turmoil with the peace found in turning to God._ > In vain by reason and by rule We try to bend the will; For none but in the Saviour’s school Can learn the heavenly skill. Attempting to control our will through logic and discipline is futile; only by learning from the Saviour can we acquire this divine ability. _Emphasizes that true contentment is not achieved by human effort but by divine instruction._ > Since at his feet my soul has sat, His gracious words to hear; Contented with my present state, I cast on him my care. Because my soul has rested at His feet, listening to His kind words, I am satisfied with my current situation and entrust my worries to Him. _Describes the posture of learning and trust that leads to contentment._ > If thou of murm’ring wouldst be cured, Compare thy griefs with mine; Think what my love for thee endured, And thou wilt not repine. If you want to be healed of complaining, compare your sorrows with mine; reflect on what my love suffered for you, and you will stop grumbling. _Christ's speech urges the soul to consider His greater suffering as a remedy for discontent._ > ’Tis I appoint thy daily lot, And I do all things well: Thou soon shalt leave this wretched spot, And rise with me to dwell. I determine what happens to you each day, and I do everything perfectly; soon you will depart this miserable place and rise to live with me. _Assurance of divine sovereignty and the hope of heaven._ > In life, my grace shall strength supply Proportion’d to thy day; At death, thou still shalt find me nigh, To wipe thy tears away. During your life, my grace will give you strength suited to each day's needs; at death, I will still be near to comfort you and remove your sorrow. _Promise of sustaining grace and comforting presence through life and death._ > Thus I, who once my wretched days In vain repinings spent, Taught in my Saviour’s school of grace, Have learn’d to be content. So I, who once wasted my miserable days in useless complaints, have been taught in the Saviour's school of grace and have learned to be content. _Concluding testimony of transformation through divine teaching._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/131-contentment - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters