# Rejoice the Soul of Thy Servant explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

The speaker laments the burden of prayer and the distance felt from God, yet pleads for a renewed willingness to ask, recalling God's past goodness to sinners. The poem expresses a desire for intimate communion with Christ, referencing John, Peter, Thomas, and Mary as models of faith and devotion, and ultimately submits to God's will while seeking the grace to weep over sin.

## Themes in this chapter

### Prayer and Dependence on God

The speaker struggles with prayer but pleads for willingness to ask, recognizing God's readiness to give.

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The speaker acknowledges being bought with Christ's blood and desires to be a partaker of God's goodness, despite personal vileness.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

The speaker addresses Christ as the one who died for sinners, desires to recline on His breast like John, and longs to see His glory as Peter did.

### John

Mentioned as the disciple who leaned on Jesus' bosom, a model of intimate closeness the speaker yearns for.

### Peter

Referenced in the context of the Transfiguration, where Peter exclaimed, 'It is good for my soul to be here.'

### Thomas

The speaker desires to see the wounds in Christ's hands and side as Thomas did, to have feelings like his.

### Mary

The speaker asks to wait at Jesus' feet like Mary, weeping over the pardon of sin.

## Key lines

> When my pray’rs are a burden and task. No wonder I little receive; Lord, make me willing to ask, Since thou art so ready to give

When prayer feels like a heavy duty, it's no surprise I get little; Lord, make me willing to ask, because you are so eager to give.

_The speaker confesses the difficulty of prayer and asks for a willing heart._

> Like John I would flee to thy breast, And pour my complaints in thine ear

I want to run to your chest like John did, and tell you all my troubles.

_The speaker longs for the intimate closeness with Christ that John enjoyed._

> Oh! let me with Thomas descry The wounds in thy hands and thy side, And have feelings like his when I cry, “My God and my Saviour has died!”

Oh! Let me see the wounds in your hands and side like Thomas, and feel the same emotion when I cry, 'My God and my Savior has died!'

_The speaker desires a tangible, emotional encounter with Christ's suffering._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/25-rejoice-the-soul-of-thy-servant
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters