# Submission explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

The poem is a prayer of submission to God's will, acknowledging His love and wisdom, and asking for strength to yield all to Him, even in suffering.

## Themes in this chapter

### Prayer and Dependence on God

The entire poem is a prayer, expressing dependence on God for strength and guidance.

### Suffering and Affliction

The speaker mentions life, health, and comfort being resigned to God's will, implying trials and the need to accept them.

## Character check-ins

### The Lord

The speaker addresses God, asking for help to resign to His will and acknowledging His gracious hand.

### The Narrator

The speaker expresses a desire for submission and struggles with human weakness.

## Key lines

> O Lord, my best desire fulfill, And help me to resign Life, health, and comfort to thy will, And make thy pleasure mine.

Lord, grant my deepest wish and help me to surrender my life, health, and comfort to Your will, so that Your pleasure becomes mine.

_The speaker asks for divine assistance in complete submission._

> Why should I shrink at thy command, Whose love forbids my fear’s Or tremble at the gracious hand That wipes away my tears?

Why should I be afraid of Your command, since Your love removes my fears? Why should I tremble at Your gracious hand that comforts me?

_The speaker reasons that God's love and comfort should dispel fear._

> No, rather let me freely yield What most I prize to thee, Who never hast a good withheld, Nor wilt withhold from me.

Instead, let me willingly give up what I treasure most to You, who have never withheld any good thing and never will.

_The speaker resolves to freely surrender all to God, trusting His goodness._

> Thy favour all my journey through, Thou art engaged to grant; What else I want, or think I do, ’Tis better still to want.

You have promised to grant Your favor throughout my entire journey; anything else I lack or think I lack, it is better for me to lack.

_The speaker trusts that God's favor is sufficient and that earthly wants are for the best._

> Wisdom and mercy guide my way, Shall I resist them both? A poor blind creature of a day, And crush’d before the moth!

Wisdom and mercy guide my path; should I resist them? I am a poor, blind creature of a day, crushed before the moth!

_The speaker acknowledges human frailty and the folly of resisting God's wise and merciful guidance._

> But ah! my inward spirit cries, Still bind me to thy sway; Else the next cloud that veils the skies, Drives all these thoughts away.

But my inner spirit cries out, keep me bound to Your rule; otherwise, the next cloud that darkens the sky will drive all these thoughts away.

_The speaker recognizes the need for God's continual grace to maintain submission, as trials can easily shake faith._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/29-submission
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters