Olney Hymns · Chapter
Faith’s Review and Expectation explained
This hymn by Newton reflects on the believer's journey from sin and blindness to salvation and sight through God's grace.
What happens
This hymn by Newton reflects on the believer's journey from sin and blindness to salvation and sight through God's grace. It reviews past dangers and deliverances, affirms trust in God's promises, and anticipates eternal life beyond death, when the material world will dissolve and God will be forever the believer's portion.
Themes in this chapter
Grace and Unmerited Favor
The entire hymn celebrates grace as the unmerited power that saves, teaches, guides, and secures the believer's eternal future.
Hope of Heaven and Eternal Life
The final stanzas express confident hope in a life of joy and peace within the veil, beyond mortal life and the dissolution of the earth.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
The speaker recounts personal salvation from lostness and blindness to found and seeing, attributing all to grace.
- Grace
Personified as the agent that taught fear, relieved fears, brought safely through dangers, and will lead home.
- The Lord
Promised good, is the shield and portion, and will be forever the believer's possession.
- God
Called the believer here below and will be forever theirs, even after the earth dissolves.
Key passages
“Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound!) That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found— Was blind, but now I see.”
The wonderful, undeserved favor of God rescued me, a miserable sinner. I was spiritually lost and blind, but now I have been found and can see the truth.
The opening lines summarize the essence of salvation by grace alone, transforming the sinner's state.
“’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!”
It was God's grace that first made me aware of my sin and fear of judgment, and the same grace then brought peace to my troubled conscience. That grace became infinitely precious at the moment I put my faith in Christ.
Describes the dual work of grace in conviction and consolation, leading to faith.
“Through many dangers, toils, and snares. I have already come; ’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.”
I have faced countless perils and hardships in my life, but God's grace has protected me through them all, and I trust it will continue to guide me until I reach heaven.
A testimony of God's faithful guidance and preservation through life's journey.
“The Lord has promised good to me— His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures.”
God has made promises of blessing to me, and His Word is the foundation of my hope. He will protect me and be my greatest treasure for the rest of my earthly life.
Expresses confidence in God's promises and His role as protector and provider.
“Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace.”
Even when my body weakens and death comes, I will enter into the heavenly sanctuary and experience eternal happiness and tranquility.
Looks forward to the afterlife, describing it as a life of joy and peace in God's presence.
“The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who call’d me here below, Will be for ever mine.”
The entire material universe will eventually pass away, but the God who called me to faith will remain my eternal possession forever.
Contrasts the temporary nature of the world with the eternal relationship between the believer and God.
