# The Change explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

A hymn of lament and plea for restoration, as the speaker experiences a spiritual decline from former joys and confidence, beset by sin and Satan's taunts, yet clinging to the hope that God, who taught him to pray, will not turn away and will revive his dying hopes.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Affliction

The speaker describes a 'stormy hour' of spiritual affliction, with joys put to flight and day turned to night.

### Prayer and Dependence on God

The speaker pleads for God to hear and return, acknowledging that God taught his heart to pray, and expresses dependence on divine grace.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

Invoked as the Saviour who can revive the soul, heal the wounded spirit, and silence the foe.

### Satan

The tempter who mocks the speaker's woe and asks 'where is now your God?'

### The Narrator

The speaker who experiences a spiritual change from confidence to despair, yet pleads for restoration.

## Key lines

> Saviour, shine, and cheer my soul; Bid my dying hopes revive; Make my wounded spirit whole; Far away the tempter drive; Speak the word, and set me free; Let me live alone to thee.

O Saviour, illuminate and comfort my soul; cause my fading hopes to be renewed; heal my broken spirit; banish the tempter far from me; command my release; let my life be devoted solely to you.

_The opening plea for divine intervention and restoration._

> Once I thought my mountain strong, Firmly fix’d, no more to move; Then thy grace was all my song, Then my soul was fill’d with love: Those were happy golden days, Sweetly spent in pray’r and praise.

I once believed my faith was unshakeable, fixed and immovable; then your grace was my constant theme, and my soul overflowed with love; those were joyful, blessed times, spent in prayer and praise.

_Recalling a past period of spiritual security and joy._

> Satan asks, and mocks my woe, 'Boaster, where is now your God?' Silence, Lord, this cruel foe; Let him know I'm bought with blood; Tell him, since I know thy name, Though I change, thou art the same.

Satan taunts me in my misery, asking, 'Where is your God now?' Lord, silence this cruel enemy; let him know that I have been redeemed by blood; remind him that although I am changeable, you remain unchanging.

_The final plea for God to silence the enemy and affirm the constancy of God's nature._

## Links

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