# Welcome to the Table explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

This hymn by Cowper celebrates the invitation to the heavenly feast, where God offers the wine of salvation and Jesus is the bread of life. It emphasizes that the poor, the vile, and the lost are welcomed, while the self-righteous find no acceptance. The speaker, acknowledging guilt and sin, finds hope in the promise of welcome and the vision of God's face.

## Themes in this chapter

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The invitation to the feast is extended to the vile and lost, emphasizing unmerited favor.

### Faith and Trust in Christ

The speaker trusts in Christ's welcome despite guilt and sin, finding assurance in the promise.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

Referred to as the bread and the Saviour who invites sinners to the feast.

### God

The host who invites to the feast of heavenly wine.

### The Narrator

The speaker who responds to the invitation, acknowledging personal guilt and sin.

## Key lines

> This is the feast of heav’nly wine, And God invites to sup; The juices of the living vine Were press’d to fill the cup.

This is the sacred meal of heaven, where God calls us to dine; the wine is the blood of Christ, pressed from the true vine.

_The opening stanza sets the scene of the divine invitation and the symbolism of the wine._

> The vile, the lost, he calls to them, Ye trembling souls, appear! The righteous in their own esteem Have no acceptance here.

He calls the wicked and the lost, inviting trembling souls to come; but those who think themselves righteous have no place here.

_This stanza highlights the contrast between the self-righteous and the humble who are welcomed._

> If guilt and sin afford a plea, And may obtain a place, Surely the Lord will welcome me. And I shall see his face.

If guilt and sin can be a reason for acceptance, then certainly the Lord will welcome me, and I will see him face to face.

_The speaker finds hope in the idea that sinfulness, rather than disqualifying, may be the very qualification for grace._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/53-welcome-to-the-table
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters