# Temptation explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

The poem depicts a soul in the midst of a violent storm, representing temptation and affliction. The speaker cries out to the Lord from the depths, acknowledging personal weakness and fear, and pleads for divine guidance and protection. Despite the overwhelming dangers that attend followers of the Lamb who have left the world's deceitful shore, the soul clings to hope in God's constant love and faithful care, seeking the Savior through the floods and refusing to be driven back.

## Themes in this chapter

### Prayer and Dependence on God

The speaker cries out to the Lord from the depths, acknowledging weakness and relying wholly on divine care and protection.

### Spiritual Warfare

The storm and dangers represent the temptations and afflictions that attend followers of the Lamb, requiring divine intervention to overcome.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

The speaker, tempest-tossed and fearful, calls out to the Lord from the depths of trouble.

### The Lord

Implored to act as pilot, guide, and guardian through the storm, and to command the waves to be still.

### Jesus Christ

Referred to as 'my Saviour', whom the speaker seeks through the floods despite the storm.

## Key lines

> Lord, the pilot’s part perform, And guide and guard me through the storm; Defend me from each threat’ning ill, Control the waves, say⁠—“Peace, be still!”

Lord, take control as my pilot and protect me through this trial; shield me from every danger and calm the turmoil with your command.

_The speaker pleads for Christ-like authority over the chaos, echoing Jesus' calming of the sea._

> Dangers of every shape and name Attend the foll’wers of the Lamb, Who leave the world’s deceitful shore, And leave it to return no more.

All kinds of dangers surround those who follow Christ and have turned away from the deceptive attractions of the world, never to go back.

_Highlights the cost of discipleship and the persistent threats faced by believers._

> Though tempest-toss’d and half a wreck, My Saviour through the floods I seek; Let neither winds nor stormy main Force back my shatter’d bark again.

Even though I am battered and nearly broken, I still search for my Savior in the midst of the flood; may neither winds nor the raging sea drive my damaged vessel back.

_Expresses unwavering determination to reach Christ despite severe trials._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/18-temptation
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters