Olney Hymns · Chapter
Thunder explained
Newton uses the imagery of a thunderstorm to illustrate the terror of the law and conscience in the sinner, contrasting it with the peace and joy believers find in Christ's reign.
What happens
Newton uses the imagery of a thunderstorm to illustrate the terror of the law and conscience in the sinner, contrasting it with the peace and joy believers find in Christ's reign. The poem moves from the sinner's fear and temporary repentance to the final judgment, urging mercy for the stubborn and rejoicing for believers.
Themes in this chapter
Human Sinfulness and Depravity
The poem opens with guilt and fear as fruits of sin, and the sinner's tendency to forget vows once the storm passes.
Grace and Unmerited Favor
The plea for mercy to touch stubborn hearts highlights the need for divine grace.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
Referred to as reigning, bringing joy to believers amidst the thunder.
- Satan
Compared to the sinner's experience of trembling and belief, seeking ruin.
- The Judge
The Judge is described as hastening down at the final day, before whom sinners must stand.
- The Lord
Addressed in prayer, asking for mercy to touch stubborn hearts.
Key passages
“When a black o’erspreading cloud Has darken’d all the air, And peals of thunder, roaring loud, Proclaim the tempest near;”
When a dark cloud covers the sky and loud thunder announces an approaching storm,
Sets the scene of an approaching storm as a metaphor for impending judgment.
“Then guilt and fear, the fruits of sin, The sinner oft pursue; A louder storm is heard within, And conscience thunders too.”
The sinner is often chased by guilt and fear, which come from sin, and an even louder storm rages inside as their conscience accuses them.
Describes the internal turmoil of a guilty conscience.
“The law a fiery language speaks, His danger he perceives; Like Satan, who his ruin seeks, He trembles and believes.”
The law speaks with fiery words, and the sinner realizes his danger; just like Satan who seeks his ruin, he trembles and believes.
The law brings fear, and even the devil's belief is accompanied by trembling.
“But when the sky serene appears, And thunders roll no more, He soon forgets his vows and fears. Just as he did before.”
But when the sky clears and the thunder stops, he quickly forgets his promises and fears, just as he always does.
Highlights the fickleness of temporary repentance.
“But whither shall the sinner flee When nature’s mighty frame, The pond’rous earth and air and sea, Shall all dissolve in flame?”
Where can the sinner run when the entire natural world—the heavy earth, air, and sea—will be destroyed by fire?
Ponders the ultimate fate of sinners at the final dissolution of creation.
“Amazing day! It comes apace! The Judge is hasting down! Will sinners bear to see his face, Or stand before his frown?”
What an amazing day! It is coming quickly! The Judge is hurrying down! Can sinners endure seeing his face or standing before his angry look?
Anticipates the coming judgment and the terror of facing the Judge.