# Winter explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

The poem uses the harshness of winter as a metaphor for spiritual barrenness and desolation. The speaker laments their lack of spiritual fruitfulness and longs for the return of spring, symbolizing grace and renewal. The poem encourages patient faith and prayer, trusting in God's promise that He will not forsake those who seek Him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Affliction

The spiritual winter represents a period of affliction and barrenness, a common theme in Christian experience.

### Prayer and Dependence on God

The speaker responds to spiritual desolation with humble prayer and patient faith, trusting in God's promise.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

Invoked as the 'glorious sun' whose warmth can thaw the frozen heart and revive spiritual life.

### The Lord

Addressed as 'Dear Lord' in prayer, the one who controls seasons and grants grace.

### The Narrator

The speaker who experiences spiritual winter and longs for renewal.

## Key lines

> I See, how rude Winter’s icy hand Has stripp’d the trees and seal’d the ground!

I observe how harsh winter has stripped the trees bare and frozen the ground.

_The opening lines set the scene of natural desolation, which parallels the spiritual state._

> My soul a sharper winter mourns, Barren and fruitless I remain;

My soul experiences a more severe winter, as I remain barren and without spiritual fruit.

_The speaker compares their spiritual condition to the lifelessness of winter._

> Jesus, my glorious sun, arise! ’Tis thine the frozen heart to move;

Jesus, my glorious sun, rise! It is your power to thaw my frozen heart.

_The speaker calls on Christ to bring spiritual warmth and renewal._

> Be still, my soul, and wait his hour With humble pray’r and patient faith;

Be calm, my soul, and wait for his timing with humble prayer and patient faith.

_The speaker counsels patience and trust in God's timing._

> He, by whose all-commanding word Seasons their changing course maintain, In every change a pledge affords, That none shall seek his face in vain.

He who commands the seasons to change also gives a promise in every change that no one who seeks him will be disappointed.

_The poem concludes with an assurance of God's faithfulness to those who seek him._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/30-winter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters