# 67: Jehovah Our Righteousness explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

The poem reflects on the pervasive nature of sin, even in the believer's best efforts, and declares that true righteousness is found only in the Lord, not in any human merit.

## Themes in this chapter

### Human Sinfulness and Depravity

The poem vividly describes how sin contaminates every aspect of the believer's life, including praise and prayer.

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The believer's righteousness is not from self but from the Lord, a gift of grace.

## Character check-ins

### The Lord

Declared as the believer's righteousness and eternal possession.

### The Narrator

The speaker who laments personal sinfulness and finds hope in the Lord.

### Sin

Personified as an entangling force that pollutes praise and prayer.

### Grace

Credited with creating holy desires in the believer, though these are marred by impatience.

## Key lines

> Sin twines itself about my praise, And slides into my prayer.

Sin is so pervasive that it corrupts even my worship and my prayers.

_Highlights the inescapable presence of sin in the believer's life._

> The Lord shall be my righteousness, The Lord for ever mine.

My only righteousness is the Lord Himself, and He is my eternal possession.

_Declares the central theme of the hymn: Christ is our righteousness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/67-jehovah-our-righteousness
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters