Olney Hymns · Chapter
Hoping for a Revival explained
The speaker laments the decline of zeal and love among the saints, feeling like Eli trembling for the ark of God.
What happens
The speaker laments the decline of zeal and love among the saints, feeling like Eli trembling for the ark of God. But the Saviour reassures him that the ark is His, urging him to rely on His love and power, to wrestle at the throne of grace, and to wait for a reviving hour. The speaker's hopes revive, and he calls on the saints to join in singing, trusting that God will help and bring healing.
Themes in this chapter
Prayer and Dependence on God
The speaker is encouraged to wrestle at the throne of grace and to rely on God's love and power, highlighting the importance of persistent prayer.
Hope of Heaven and Eternal Life
The promise of a reviving hour and the assurance that God will help and bring healing point to the hope of spiritual renewal and ultimate restoration.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
The speaker expresses grief over the decline of the work of God and is comforted by the Saviour's words.
- Jesus Christ
The Saviour speaks words of encouragement, assuring the speaker that the ark is His and that revival will come.
- Elijah
The speaker compares himself to Eli, who trembled for the ark of God, showing his concern for the state of the church.
- The Saints
The speaker calls on the saints to join him in singing, as they share in the hope of revival.
Key passages
“My harp untuned, and laid aside, (To cheerful hours the harp belongs,) My cruel foes insulting cried, “Come, sing us one of Zion’s songs.””
I have set aside my harp, for it is only for joyful times. My enemies mock me, saying, 'Sing us a song of Zion.'
The speaker expresses his inability to sing in times of sorrow, and the taunts of his foes.
“Alas! when sinners, blindly bold, At Zion scoff, and Zion’s King; When zeal declines, and love grows cold, Is this a day for me to sing?”
When sinners boldly mock Zion and its King, and when zeal and love are fading, it is not a time for singing.
The speaker laments the spiritual decline and the mockery of the wicked.
“Time was, whene’er the saints I met, With joy and praise my bosom glow’d! But now, like Eli, sad I sit, And tremble for the ark of God.”
In the past, meeting the saints filled me with joy and praise. But now I sit sorrowfully like Eli, fearing for the ark of God.
The speaker contrasts his former joy with his current grief, using Eli as a symbol of concern for God's presence.
“While thus to grief my soul gave way To see the work of God decline, Methought I heard my Saviour say, “Dismiss thy fears—the ark is mine.”
As I grieved over the decline of God's work, I seemed to hear the Saviour say, 'Do not fear, the ark is mine.'
The Saviour's words bring comfort and assurance.
“Though for a time I hide my face, Rely upon my love and power; Still wrestle at a throne of grace, And wait for a reviving hour.”
Even though I may seem to hide my face, trust in my love and power. Keep praying at the throne of grace and wait for a time of revival.
The Saviour encourages persistence in prayer and hope for revival.
“Take down thy long-neglected harp; I’ve seen thy tears, and heard thy pray’r; The winter season has been sharp, But spring shall all its wastes repair.”
Take down your harp that you have neglected. I have seen your tears and heard your prayer. The winter has been harsh, but spring will restore everything.
The Saviour promises restoration and a new season of joy.
