Olney Hymns · Chapter
To the Afflicted, Tossed with Tempests, and Not Comforted explained
The poem addresses a pensive, doubting, fearful heart, offering comfort through the words of Christ the Saviour.
What happens
The poem addresses a pensive, doubting, fearful heart, offering comfort through the words of Christ the Saviour. Christ reassures the afflicted soul that sorrows will end, that He is both Husband and Friend, and that His momentary withdrawal is but a prelude to eternal peace. The rainbow is presented as a sign of grace and covenant love, and the poem concludes with a promise of restoration and rebuilding, demonstrating what a God of love can do.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Affliction
The poem directly addresses the afflicted, tempest-tossed, comfortless soul, acknowledging present pain.
Grace and Unmerited Favor
The rainbow is an emblem of grace and a sign of covenant love, emphasizing God's unmerited kindness.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
The Saviour speaks directly to the afflicted heart, offering comfort and assurance.
- The Narrator
The pensive, doubting, fearful heart addressed by Christ.
- God
Referred to as the High and Holy One, Israel's God, who frames heaven and earth.
Key passages
“Pensive, doubting, fearful heart, Hear what Christ the Saviour says; Every word should joy impart, Change thy mourning into praise”
O troubled and anxious heart, listen to the words of Christ the Savior; each word should bring you joy and turn your sorrow into praise.
The opening invitation to the afflicted heart to find comfort in Christ's words.
“I who heaven and earth have framed Am thy Husband and thy Friend”
I, the Creator of the universe, am your husband and your friend.
Christ identifies Himself as both Creator and intimate companion to the believer.
“When my peaceful bow appears, Painted on the wat'ry cloud; 'Tis to dissipate thy fears, Lest the earth should be o'erflow'd”
When the rainbow appears in the clouds, it is to calm your fears of another flood.
The rainbow is a sign of God's promise not to destroy the earth by flood again.
“Though afflicted, tempest-toss'd. Comfortless awhile thou art, Do not think thou canst be lost, Thou art graven on my heart”
Even though you are afflicted and storm-tossed, and for a while without comfort, do not think you can be lost, for you are engraved on my heart.
Assurance of God's enduring love and faithfulness despite present trials.