Olney Hymns · Chapter
The Word More Precious Than Gold explained
The poem exalts the Bible as the supreme treasure, providing spiritual nourishment, healing, protection, and victory over Satan.
What happens
The poem exalts the Bible as the supreme treasure, providing spiritual nourishment, healing, protection, and victory over Satan. It contrasts the believer's true wealth in God's Word with the world's empty riches, emphasizing that Christ is the substance of all its promises.
Themes in this chapter
Spiritual Warfare
The Word is depicted as a shield and sword against Satan's attacks, emphasizing the believer's active resistance.
The Vanity of Worldly Things
The poem contrasts the believer's contentment in Scripture with the miser's futile love of gold, declaring the believer truly rich.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
The dying Christ is the believer's food and drink, the source of all spiritual sustenance.
- Satan
Satan wounds the mind and tempts, but is defeated by the Word of God as a shield and sword.
- The Holy Spirit
The Spirit's sword is the Word, used to overcome spiritual enemies.
- The Narrator
The speaker expresses personal reliance on the Bible for all needs and victory.
Key passages
“Precious Bible! what a treasure Does the Word of God afford!”
The Bible is an invaluable treasure, providing everything needed for life and godliness.
The opening exclamation sets the tone of reverence and gratitude for Scripture.
“On a dying Christ I feed— He is meat and drink indeed!”
I spiritually nourish myself on the crucified Christ, who is true sustenance for the soul.
This line connects the Word to the sacrament of communion and the believer's union with Christ.
“Satan trembles at the word: ’Tis a sword for conquest made, Keen the edge and strong the blade.”
Satan is terrified of the Word of God, which is a powerful weapon that ensures victory in spiritual combat.
The imagery of the sword echoes Ephesians 6:17, emphasizing the active use of Scripture in spiritual warfare.