Olney Hymns · Chapter
Prayer for a Blessing explained
A hymn petitioning God for a blessing, asking for His presence, mercy, and Spirit to be poured out on the congregation, that both saints and sinners may be transformed and ultimately worship Him in eternity.
What happens
A hymn petitioning God for a blessing, asking for His presence, mercy, and Spirit to be poured out on the congregation, that both saints and sinners may be transformed and ultimately worship Him in eternity.
Themes in this chapter
Prayer and Dependence on God
The entire hymn is a prayer for God's blessing, presence, and mercy.
Grace and Unmerited Favor
The plea for mercy and the Spirit's work highlights the unmerited favor of God.
Characters to notice
- The Lord
Addressed as 'gracious Lord' and the one whose arm and glory are sought.
- The Holy Spirit
Asked to be sent down from above to enable love for God.
- The Saints
Those who already love God and are prayed to love Him more.
- Sin
The guilt of former sin is acknowledged and prayed for mercy.
Key passages
“Now, gracious Lord, thine arm reveal, And make thy glory known; Now let us all thy presence feel, And soften hearts of stone!”
Lord, show your power and glory, let us feel your presence, and soften our hard hearts.
A plea for God's manifest presence and transformative power.
“Help us to venture near thy throne, And plead a Saviour’s name; For all that we can call our own Is vanity and shame.”
Help us to approach your throne, trusting in Jesus' name, because everything we have is worthless and shameful.
Acknowledges human insufficiency and the need to rely on Christ's mediation.
“From all the guilt of former sin May mercy set us free; And let the year we now begin Begin and end with thee.”
May mercy free us from the guilt of past sins, and may this new year be wholly devoted to you.
A prayer for forgiveness and a consecrated year.
“Send down thy Spirit from above, That saints may love thee more; And sinners now may learn to love Who never loved before.”
Send your Holy Spirit so that believers may love you more, and unbelievers may learn to love you for the first time.
Requests the Spirit's work in deepening love among the faithful and converting sinners.
“And when before thee we appear, In our eternal home, May growing numbers worship here, And praise thee in our room.”
When we stand before you in heaven, may even more people worship you on earth, taking our place.
Looks forward to eternal glory and the continued growth of the church.