# True Pleasure explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

The poem expresses the soul's delight in hearing the name of Jesus, receiving the promises of God through the Spirit, and observing holiness in others. It celebrates the joy found in divine love and the pleasantness of God's ways, concluding with a commitment to love Jesus' easy yoke and light burden.

## Themes in this chapter

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The speaker delights in the sanctity and grace of believers, and in the divine love that is the source of all comfort.

### Prayer and Dependence on God

The poem is a prayerful expression of the soul's dependence on God for joy and increase of comforts.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

The speaker's soul springs with pleasure at hearing His name, and His easy yoke is loved.

### The Holy Spirit

Brings the word of promise near, causing delight.

### God

The source of divine love and the one who increases the comforts of the soul.

### The Saints

Those who love God and are clothed in sanctity and grace, pleasant to observe.

## Key lines

> Lord, my soul with pleasure springs When Jesus name I hear

My soul leaps with joy whenever I hear the name of Jesus.

_The speaker expresses visceral delight in the mere mention of Christ._

> All his ways are pleasantness, And all his paths are peace.

Everything God does is delightful, and every path He leads is peaceful.

_A direct echo of Proverbs 3:17, emphasizing the goodness of God's guidance._

> For I love his easy yoke, And find his burden light.

I love the gentle rule of Christ, and His commands do not weigh me down.

_Alludes to Matthew 11:30, expressing the joy of discipleship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/49-true-pleasure
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters