Olney Hymns · Chapter
Return, O Lord, How Long? explained
The speaker laments the absence of God's presence, which has led to trouble, spiritual decline, and vulnerability to Satan.
What happens
The speaker laments the absence of God's presence, which has led to trouble, spiritual decline, and vulnerability to Satan. He pleads for the Lord's return, expressing trust that his faith will not be in vain.
Themes in this chapter
Prayer and Dependence on God
The poem is a direct prayer to God, expressing dependence on His presence for joy and protection.
Spiritual Warfare
The speaker describes being vulnerable to Satan's attacks when God is absent, framing the struggle as a spiritual battle.
Characters to notice
- The Lord
The speaker's source of joy and peace, whose absence causes distress.
- Satan
Marks the speaker as prey when he is left alone.
- The Narrator
The speaker who experiences trouble and pleads for the Lord's return.
Key passages
“Return to bless my waiting eyes, And cheer my mourning heart, Lord!”
Come back and bring joy to my sad heart, Lord.
The speaker's opening plea for God's return to restore happiness.
“But, ah! since thou hast been away, Nothing but trouble have I known;”
But since you have been gone, I have experienced only trouble.
The speaker connects God's absence with a period of suffering.
“My sun is hid, my comforts lost, My graces droop, my sins revive;”
My joy is gone, my comforts are lost, my faith is weak, and my sins are strong again.
A vivid description of spiritual decline in God's absence.
“Lord, hear my cry, and come again! Put all mine enemies to shame;”
Lord, listen to my prayer and return! Defeat those who oppose me.
A plea for deliverance and vindication.