Olney Hymns · Chapter
Praise for the Incarnation explained
The chapter is a hymn of praise celebrating the incarnation of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the joy and hope found in His name, birth, cross, and shame.
What happens
The chapter is a hymn of praise celebrating the incarnation of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the joy and hope found in His name, birth, cross, and shame. The speaker marvels at the angels' song at His coming and feels compelled to sing praises, acknowledging that even the stones would speak if human tongues were silent. The hymn concludes with a personal declaration of love and devotion to Christ, who is described as Saviour, Shield, Sun, Shepherd, Brother, Husband, and Friend.
Themes in this chapter
Grace and Unmerited Favor
The hymn emphasizes the unmerited love of Christ who became man to fulfill the law and suffer in the believer's place.
Redemption and Salvation
The speaker's hope is rooted in Christ's birth, cross, and shame, highlighting the redemptive work of the incarnation.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
The central figure of praise; His incarnation, birth, cross, and shame are celebrated.
- Angels
Angels sang 'Glory be to God on high!' at Christ's coming.
- The Narrator
The speaker expresses personal devotion and desire to sing praises.
Key passages
“Sweeter sounds than music knows Charm me in Emmanuel’s name; All her hopes my spirit owes To his birth and cross and shame.”
The name of Emmanuel (Jesus) is more delightful than any music, and my soul's entire hope rests on His birth, crucifixion, and humiliation.
The speaker expresses the profound sweetness and hope found in Christ's incarnation and sacrifice.
“Did the Lord a man become, That he might the law fulfill, Bleed and suffer in my room, And canst thou, my tongue, be still?”
If the Lord became a man to obey the law and bleed and suffer in my place, how can I remain silent?
The rhetorical question emphasizes the compelling reason for praise.
“For should I refuse to sing, Sure the very stones would speak.”
If I were to refuse to sing, even the stones would cry out in praise.
This echoes Jesus' words in Luke 19:40, indicating the inevitability of praise.