# Another explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

This hymn celebrates the presence of God wherever believers gather, emphasizing that true worship is not confined to physical walls but resides in humble hearts. It invokes the Shepherd to renew mercies, strengthen faith through prayer, and bless the congregation with spiritual increase, expressing a longing for God's powerful intervention to claim many more hearts.

## Themes in this chapter

### Prayer and Dependence on God

The hymn highlights the power of prayer to strengthen faith, sweeten care, and bring heaven before the eyes of believers.

### Divine Providence and Guidance

Expresses trust in God's nearness and care, acknowledging that he is not confined but inhabits the humble mind and guides his people.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus

Addresses Jesus as the Shepherd of his chosen few, the one who meets with his people and is found wherever they seek him.

### The Lord

Implored to rend the heavens and come down, to fill the space and bless with a large increase, acknowledging his nearness and power.

### The Narrator

The speaker of the hymn, expressing the collective longing of the congregation for God's presence and blessing.

## Key lines

> Where’er they seek thee, thou art found, And every place is hallow’d ground.

God is present and accessible to those who seek him, making any location sacred.

_This emphasizes the omnipresence of God and the sanctification of all places through faithful seeking._

> For thou, within no walls confined, Inhabitest the humble mind;

God is not limited to buildings but dwells within the hearts of the humble.

_Highlights the inward nature of true worship and God's preference for a contrite spirit._

> Here may we prove the power of pray’r To strengthen faith and sweeten care⁠—

Through prayer, we can experience its power to bolster our faith and ease our worries.

_This underscores the practical benefits of prayer in the believer's life._

> O rend the heavens, come quickly down, And make a thousand hearts thine own!

Lord, intervene dramatically and swiftly, converting many more people to yourself.

_A fervent plea for revival and a large-scale movement of grace._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/44-another
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters