Olney Hymns · Chapter
The Covenant explained
This chapter celebrates the new covenant of grace, where God promises to transform hearts of stone into hearts of flesh, cleanse from sin, and give His Spirit so that His people will seek Him and obey His statutes.
What happens
This chapter celebrates the new covenant of grace, where God promises to transform hearts of stone into hearts of flesh, cleanse from sin, and give His Spirit so that His people will seek Him and obey His statutes. It emphasizes that the entire work of salvation, from beginning to end, is initiated and accomplished by God's power.
Themes in this chapter
Grace and Unmerited Favor
The Lord proclaims His grace abroad, a flowing stream that washes away filthiness, emphasizing unmerited favor.
Prayer and Dependence on God
God promises to put a praying spirit in the hearts of His people, showing that prayer is a gift from Him.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“The Lord proclaims his grace abroad!”
God announces His unmerited favor openly.
Highlights the public declaration of grace.
“I change your hearts of stone; Each shall renounce his idol-god, And serve, henceforth, the Lord alone.”
I will transform your hardened hearts, so that you will turn from false gods and worship only Me.
Emphasizes the transformative power of God in turning people from idolatry.
“My grace, a flowing stream, proceeds To wash your filthiness away;”
My grace, like a continuous stream, cleanses you from all impurity.
Uses the imagery of water to depict cleansing from sin.
“I give myself away to you; You shall be mine, I will be yours, Your God unalterably true.”
I commit Myself to you; you will belong to Me, and I will be your God, forever faithful.
Expresses the intimate relationship of the covenant.
“Yet not unsought or unimplored The plenteous grace shall I confer; No—your whole hearts shall seek the Lord, I’ll put a praying spirit there.”
I will not bestow this abundant grace without your seeking; rather, I will cause you to seek Me with all your heart, placing a spirit of prayer within you.
Clarifies that God initiates the desire to pray.
“From the first breath of life divine, Down to the last expiring hour, The gracious work shall all be mine, Begun and ended in my power.”
From the very beginning of spiritual life to the final moment, the entire work of salvation is accomplished by My power alone.
Affirms God's sovereignty over the whole process of salvation.