# We Were Pharaoh’s Bondmen explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

This hymn reflects on the deliverance of the soul from the bondage of sin and Satan, paralleling Israel's liberation from Egyptian slavery. It celebrates God's grace and power in breaking the chains of sin, and expresses a desire to live a life of praise and to pass on the knowledge of God's mercy to the next generation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Redemption and Salvation

The hymn celebrates the redemption from sin's bondage through Christ's sacrifice and power.

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

Grace is credited with breaking the fetters of oppression, highlighting unmerited divine favor.

## Character check-ins

### Satan

Referred to as the tyrant whose yoke held the souls in bondage.

### Jesus Christ

The one who ransomed believers by price and power, breaking their fetters.

### The Lord

Addressed in prayer, asked to pour out His Spirit on the youth.

### Simon

Mentioned as an example of one who gladly departs when called by Jesus.

## Key lines

> Beneath the tyrant Satan’s yoke Our souls were long opprest, Till grace our galling fetters broke, And gave the weary rest.

We were long enslaved by Satan, but God's grace freed us and gave us peace.

_The opening stanza describes the spiritual bondage and the liberating power of grace._

> Jesus, in that important hour, His mighty arm made known; He ransom’d us by price and power, And claim’d us for his own.

At the crucial moment, Jesus revealed His power, redeeming us through His sacrifice and making us His own.

_This stanza emphasizes the dual aspect of redemption: by price (sacrifice) and by power (resurrection)._

> Ere long, we hope with Him to dwell In yonder world above; And now we only live to tell The riches of his love.

Soon we hope to live with Him in heaven, and until then, our purpose is to proclaim the abundance of His love.

_The hymn expresses the hope of eternal life and the mission to share God's love._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/25-we-were-pharaoh-s-bondmen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters