Olney Hymns · Chapter
Home in View explained
The poem compares the Christian life to a weary traveler who, upon reaching a hilltop, sees his home in the distance and is revived.
What happens
The poem compares the Christian life to a weary traveler who, upon reaching a hilltop, sees his home in the distance and is revived. Similarly, the Christian, by faith, glimpses his heavenly mansion, which renews his strength and motivates him to press on. The thought of home cheers the spirit, diminishes past troubles, and removes fear of future trials. The believer looks forward to dwelling with Jesus, where cares will cease and tears will be wiped away. The poem concludes with a prayer of dependence on Jesus to lead believers safely to their eternal home.
Themes in this chapter
Hope of Heaven and Eternal Life
The central theme: the Christian's hope of heaven renews strength and cheers the spirit amid life's journey.
Faith and Trust in Christ
The believer views his mansion by faith and depends on Jesus to lead him to his abode.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
The one with whom the believer will dwell in heaven and who wipes away tears.
- The Narrator
The speaker who expresses the Christian pilgrim's perspective and hope.
Key passages
“As when the weary trav’ler gains The height of some o’erlooking hill, His heart revives if, cross the plains, He eyes his home, though distant still.”
Just as a tired traveler climbing a hill feels renewed when he sees his home in the distance, so the Christian is revived by the sight of his heavenly home.
The opening simile establishes the central metaphor of the Christian life as a journey with heaven in view.
“Thus when the Christian pilgrim views By faith his mansion in the skies, The sight his fainting strength renews, And wings his speed to reach the prize.”
In the same way, when the Christian sees by faith his heavenly home, it renews his failing strength and makes him hasten toward the reward.
Faith is the means by which the believer glimpses his eternal home, providing spiritual energy.
“The thought of home his spirit cheers, No more he grieves for troubles past, Nor any future trial fears, So he may safe arrive at last.”
Thinking of heaven brings joy, so he no longer mourns past hardships or fears future difficulties, as long as he reaches his destination safely.
The hope of heaven transforms the believer's perspective on both past and future trials.
“’Tis there, he says, I am to dwell With Jesus in the realms of day; Then I shall bid my cares farewell, And he shall wipe my tears away.”
He says, 'There I will live with Jesus in the eternal light; then I will leave all my worries behind, and he will wipe away my tears.'
The believer's ultimate hope is intimate fellowship with Christ and the removal of all sorrow.
“Jesus, on thee our hope depends, To lead us on to thine abode: Assured our home will make amends For all our toil while on the road.”
Jesus, our hope rests on you to guide us to your dwelling place; we are certain that our heavenly home will compensate for all our struggles along the way.
The poem concludes with a prayer of dependence on Christ and confidence that heaven will outweigh all earthly toil.