Olney Hymns · Chapter
More with Us Than with Them explained
This hymn by Newton reflects on the account of Elisha's servant who, upon seeing the Syrian army, was afraid until the prophet prayed and God opened his eyes to see the fiery chariots and horsemen surrounding them.
What happens
This hymn by Newton reflects on the account of Elisha's servant who, upon seeing the Syrian army, was afraid until the prophet prayed and God opened his eyes to see the fiery chariots and horsemen surrounding them. The hymn applies this to the believer's spiritual warfare, encouraging faith that God's unseen forces are greater than any visible enemy, and that through prayer, the saints, angels, and the promise of Jesus, believers are preserved.
Themes in this chapter
Spiritual Warfare
The hymn depicts the believer's battle against Satan and his host, with the assurance of a greater heavenly army.
Faith and Trust in Christ
The narrator moves from fear to faith, trusting that Jesus lives to fulfill the promise of protection.
Prayer and Dependence on God
The prophet's prayer is central to revealing the heavenly host, and the saints' prayers support the believer.
Characters to notice
- Elisha
The prophet whose prayer opened his servant's eyes to see the heavenly army.
- The Narrator
The speaker who identifies with Elisha's servant, expressing fear and then faith in God's protection.
- Satan
The adversary whose host appears, causing fear, but is overcome by the greater heavenly host.
- Jesus Christ
The one who lives to make good the promise sealed with blood, ensuring the believer's safety.
- Angels
The fiery guard from the skies that surrounds the hill, preserving the saints.
- The Saints
They espouse the believer's cause by prayer, joining in spiritual support.
Key passages
“Alas! Elisha’s servant cried, When he the Syrian army spied; But he was soon released from care, In answer to the prophet’s prayer.”
The servant was terrified when he saw the Syrian army, but his fear was relieved when the prophet prayed.
This paraphrases the biblical account of Elisha's servant seeing the enemy forces.
“Straightway he saw, with other eyes, A greater army from the skies— A fiery guard around the hill; Thus are the saints preserved still.”
Immediately his eyes were opened to see a larger heavenly army, a fiery guard surrounding the hill, showing how God preserves His people.
This describes the vision of the fiery chariots and horsemen, symbolizing divine protection.
“When Satan and his host appear, Like him of old, I faint and fear; Like him, by faith, with joy I see A greater host engaged for me.”
When Satan and his forces come, I am afraid like the servant, but by faith I see that a greater army is fighting for me.
This applies the biblical event to the believer's personal spiritual battles.
“The saints espouse my cause by pray’r, The angels make my soul their care; Mine is the promise seal’d with blood, And Jesus lives to make it good.”
The saints pray for me, angels watch over my soul, and I have the promise sealed by Christ's blood, which Jesus is alive to fulfill.
This expresses the believer's confidence in the intercession of saints, angelic care, and the certainty of Christ's work.