Olney Hymns · Chapter
Behold, I Am Vile explained
The speaker laments his own sinfulness and unworthiness before God, acknowledging the corruption of his heart and the futility of his attempts to pray, read Scripture, or hear the gospel.
What happens
The speaker laments his own sinfulness and unworthiness before God, acknowledging the corruption of his heart and the futility of his attempts to pray, read Scripture, or hear the gospel. Yet he clings to hope in Christ's atoning blood and grace, which alone can cleanse the vilest sinner and soften a heart of stone. He resolves to bow low at Jesus' feet, waiting for mercy and forgiveness.
Themes in this chapter
Human Sinfulness and Depravity
The speaker vividly describes his own vileness, unclean heart, and the swarm of evils within, acknowledging his inability to pray or understand Scripture.
Grace and Unmerited Favor
Despite his sin, the speaker trusts in Christ's blood and grace to cleanse his guilt and soften his heart, emphasizing unmerited favor.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
The speaker confesses his own vileness, sin, and inability to pray or understand Scripture, yet expresses hope in Christ's blood.
- Jesus Christ
The speaker appeals to Christ's atoning blood and grace, believing it can cleanse the vilest sinner and soften a heart of stone.
- God
The speaker addresses God, acknowledging His pure eyes and seeking His pity and forgiveness.
Key passages
“O Lord, how vile am I, Unholy and unclean! How can I dare to venture nigh With such a load of sin?”
Lord, I am utterly sinful and impure; how can I presume to approach You burdened with so much sin?
The speaker opens with a confession of his unworthiness and the weight of sin that separates him from God.
“If I attempt to pray, And lisp thy holy name, My thoughts are hurried soon away, I know not where I am.”
When I try to pray and speak Your holy name, my mind quickly wanders, and I lose all focus.
The speaker laments the distraction and weakness of his prayers, a common experience of the believer.
“That blood which thou hast spilt, That grace which is thine own, Can cleanse the vilest sinner’s guilt, And soften hearts of stone.”
Your shed blood and Your grace are powerful enough to wash away the guilt of the worst sinner and to change a hard, unfeeling heart.
The speaker expresses confidence in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and grace to transform even the most sinful.