# They Shall Be Mine, Saith the Lord explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

This poem by Newton reflects on Malachi 3:16-18, contrasting the boasting of sinners with the faithful who fear the Lord. It describes how the faithful meet together, their deeds recorded in God's book, and their joyful expectation of the day when Christ will descend to gather His jewels. Though presently unnoticed and suffering, they will be claimed by their Savior and shown favor, while the wicked face burning wrath.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hope of Heaven and Eternal Life

The faithful joyfully expect the day when Christ will descend to collect them as His jewels.

### Divine Providence and Guidance

God records the deeds of the faithful and will bring them forth to view, showing His providential care.

## Character check-ins

### The Lord

The Lord listens to those who fear His name and records their deeds in His book of grace.

### The Saints

The faithful few who meet to seek God's face, suffer unnoticed, and will be collected as jewels.

### Jesus Christ

The Savior who will descend from the sky to collect His jewels and show them care and favor.

### Sin

Sinners boast in their shame, representing the wicked who will face vengeance.

## Key lines

> When sinners utter boasting words, And glory in their shame, The Lord, well pleased, an ear affords, To those who fear his name.

While sinners boast and take pride in their disgraceful actions, the Lord is pleased to listen to those who revere Him.

_Contrast between the arrogant and the humble._

> They often met to seek his face; And what they do or say Is rioted in his book of grace Against another day.

The faithful regularly gather to seek God, and their words and deeds are recorded in His book of grace for a future day.

_Reference to God's book of remembrance._

> For they, by faith, a day descry, And joyfully expect, When he, descending from the sky, His jewels will collect.

Through faith, they foresee a day they eagerly await, when Christ will come from heaven to gather them as precious treasures.

_The second coming and the gathering of the saints._

> Unnoticed now, because unknown, A poor and suff’ring few; He comes to claim them for his own, And bring them forth to view.

Though they are presently overlooked and suffering, Christ will come to claim them as His own and reveal them to the world.

_The hiddenness of the saints and their future vindication._

> With transport then their Saviour’s care And favour they shall prove; As tender parents guard and spare The children of their love.

Then they will experience the joyful care and favor of their Savior, just as loving parents protect and spare their cherished children.

_The tender relationship between Christ and His people._

> Assembled worlds will then discern The saints alone are blest, When wrath shall like an oven burn, And vengeance strike the rest.

All the gathered nations will then see that only the saints are blessed, while the wicked will face burning wrath and vengeance.

_Final separation of the righteous and the wicked._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/80-they-shall-be-mine-saith-the-lord
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters