# Belshazzar explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

This poem draws a parallel between the fate of Belshazzar, who profanely defied God and was terrified by the handwriting on the wall, and the situation of sinners who stand on the brink of everlasting woe. It warns sinners to seek the Lord before it is too late, and concludes by contrasting the law's condemnation with Jesus' atoning blood that cancels its demands.

## Themes in this chapter

### Human Sinfulness and Depravity

Belshazzar's profane boldness and defiance of God illustrate human sinfulness, and the poem warns sinners of their perilous state.

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The poem concludes with the grace of Jesus, who cancels the law's demands through his blood, offering salvation to sinners.

## Character check-ins

### Belshazzar

Profanely bold, defied the Lord of hosts, saw the handwriting on the wall, trembled, and was humbled by vengeance.

### Jesus Christ

Presented as the one who answers the law's demands and cancels it with his blood.

### God

Referred to as the Lord of hosts, whose wrath is spoken by the law and whose vengeance humbled Belshazzar.

## Key lines

> Poor sinners! little do they think With whom they have to do! But stand securely on the brink Of everlasting woe.

Sinners are unaware of the God they face and remain complacent even as they teeter on the edge of eternal destruction.

_The poem opens by contrasting the sinner's ignorance with the reality of divine judgment._

> The law like this hand-writing stands, And speaks the wrath of God; But Jesus answers its demands, And cancels it with blood.

The law, like the handwriting on the wall, declares God's wrath, but Jesus satisfies its requirements and removes its condemnation through his sacrificial death.

_The final stanza contrasts the law's condemnation with the gospel's provision in Christ._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/74-belshazzar
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters