# Peace Restored explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

The speaker, once afflicted by guilt and Satan's accusations, finds peace and restoration through a gracious word from the Lord. The chapter celebrates the divine grace that heals the breach caused by sin, turns night to day, and restores the joys of salvation, prompting a resolve to sin no more.

## Themes in this chapter

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The speaker marvels at the divine grace that heals a breach and restores salvation despite unworthiness.

### Spiritual Warfare

Satan's accusations and the soul's affliction are overcome by the Lord's powerful word.

## Character check-ins

### The Lord

The gracious speaker whose word cheers the drooping heart and restores peace.

### Satan

The cruel tempter whose boast affrights the soul, but who flees when the Lord appears.

### The Narrator

The speaker who laments past sin and rejoices in restored salvation.

### The Saints

Called to join with angels in proclaiming the grace that healed the breach.

### Angels

Invited to join the saints in proclaiming divine grace.

## Key lines

> Oh! speak that gracious word again, And cheer my drooping heart; No voice but thine can soothe my pain, Or bid my fears depart.

Please repeat that kind promise to lift my discouraged spirit; only your voice can ease my suffering and dispel my anxieties.

_The speaker pleads for the comforting word of the Lord._

> And canst thou still vouchsafe to own A wretch so vile as I? And may I still approach thy throne, And Abba, Father, cry?

Can you still accept someone as sinful as me? Am I still allowed to come before your throne and call you Father?

_Expresses amazement at God's willingness to receive a repentant sinner._

> How oft did Satan's cruel boast My troubled soul affright! He told me I was surely lost, And God had left me quite.

Satan often terrified me with his cruel claims, insisting that I was beyond hope and abandoned by God.

_Describes the spiritual attack of doubt and despair._

> But now the Lord appears in view⁠— My enemy is fled.

But now that the Lord has revealed himself, my enemy has run away.

_The presence of the Lord causes Satan to flee._

> My Saviour, by his powerful word, Has turn'd my night to day; And his salvation's joys restored Which I had sinn'd away.

My Savior, through his mighty command, has changed my darkness into light and given back the happiness of salvation that I had lost through sin.

_Celebrates the restorative power of Christ's word._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/53-peace-restored
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters