Olney Hymns · Chapter
Communion with the Saints in Glory explained
This hymn celebrates the communion between the saints on earth and those in glory, united in their praise of the Lamb.
What happens
This hymn celebrates the communion between the saints on earth and those in glory, united in their praise of the Lamb. It acknowledges the difference in their vision—saints in heaven behold Christ face to face, while believers on earth see only a glimpse—yet both are equally debtors to His grace and equally beloved. The hymn encourages believers that the saints in glory endured similar sufferings and trials, and through Christ they conquered; so too will believers on earth conquer. It ends with the assurance that Christ's grace will not despise the humble praises of His people on earth.
Themes in this chapter
Communion with Saints in Glory
The hymn emphasizes the spiritual unity between believers on earth and saints in heaven, both praising the Lamb.
Hope of Heaven and Eternal Life
The assurance that believers will conquer as the saints have, pointing to the hope of eternal glory.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
Referred to as the Lamb, who died and reigns, and whose worth is the subject of heavenly and earthly praise.
- The Saints
Saints in glory who sing praises to the Lamb and have conquered through Him.
- Grace
The unmerited favor that makes believers equally debtors and beloved as the saints in heaven.
Key passages
“Refreshed by the bread and wine, The pledges of our Saviour’s love, Now let our hearts and voices join In songs of praise with those above.”
Having partaken of the communion elements that symbolize Christ's love, we unite our praise with the heavenly hosts.
The opening stanza links the earthly act of communion with the heavenly worship.
“Do they sing, “Worthy is the Lamb”? Although we cannot reach their strains, Yet we through grace can sing the same— For us he died, for us he reigns.”
Though we cannot match the perfection of the heavenly song, by God's grace we can join in the same declaration of Christ's worthiness, for He died and reigns for us.
Emphasizes the shared worship despite differing abilities.
“If they behold him face to face, While we a glimpse can only see, Yet, equal debtors to his grace, As safe and as beloved are we.”
Even though saints in heaven see Christ directly and we see only dimly, we are equally indebted to His grace and equally secure and loved.
Highlights the equality of believers' standing before God.
“They had, like us, a suff’ring time, Our cares and fears and griefs they knew; But they have conquer’d all through Him, And we ere long shall conquer too.”
The saints in glory experienced the same trials and sorrows as we do, but they overcame through Christ, and we will also overcome in due time.
Encourages perseverance by pointing to the saints' victory.
“Though all the songs of saints in light Are far beneath His matchless worth, His grace is such, He will not slight The poor attempts of worms on earth.”
Even the combined praise of all the saints in heaven falls short of His glory, yet His grace is so great that He accepts the humble worship of frail humans on earth.
Concludes with the assurance of God's gracious acceptance.