# The Hidden Life explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

The poem celebrates the intimate, private communion between the believer and the Saviour, where all wants are told and praises offered. It contrasts the hidden joys of this spiritual relationship with the public proclamation of Christ's worth, and defends this devotion against former friends who might frown upon it, asserting that such honour is given to all his saints.

## Themes in this chapter

### Prayer and Dependence on God

The poem opens with the pleasing task of telling the Saviour all wants, highlighting the believer's dependence on God in prayer.

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The Saviour grants beyond what the believer can ask, and the honour of such communion is given to all saints, underscoring unmerited favour.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

The Saviour who listens to all wants, grants beyond asking, speaks with tenderness, and bears the cross; his name is like precious ointment.

### The Narrator

The speaker who tells the Saviour all wants, experiences joy, and boldly proclaims the sweetness of Christ's name despite former friends' disapproval.

### The Saints

All saints receive the same honour of intimate communion with Christ, as the narrator affirms.

## Key lines

> To tell the Saviour all my wants, How pleasing is the task!

It is a delightful duty to pour out all my needs to the Saviour.

_Expresses the joy of prayer and complete dependence on Christ._

> Nor less to praise him when he grants Beyond what I can ask.

It is equally delightful to praise him when he gives more than I could ever request.

_Highlights God's abundant grace and generosity._

> Like precious wines, their taste they lose Exposed to open air.

Just as fine wine loses its flavour when exposed to the air, so do these sacred secrets lose their sweetness when made public.

_Illustrates the value of keeping intimate spiritual experiences private._

> Sweet is the ointment of his name, Not life is half so dear.

The fragrance of his name is sweeter than anything, and even life itself is not as precious.

_Declares the supreme worth of Christ's name._

> Trust me, I draw the likeness true, And not as fancy paints;

Believe me, I describe him accurately, not with imaginative exaggeration.

_Asserts the truthfulness of the testimony about Christ._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/47-the-hidden-life
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters