# The Sower explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

This poem by Cowper reflects on the parable of the sower, urging listeners to prepare their hearts like good soil to receive the seed of God's word. It contrasts the fates of seed sown on stony ground, thorny ground, and the beaten path, which fail to produce fruit, with the abundant harvest from the good soil blessed by God. The poem concludes with a prayer for God's preparing grace to make hearts fruitful.

## Themes in this chapter

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The poem emphasizes the need for God's preparing grace to make the heart receptive to the seed of the Word, highlighting the unmerited favor of God in enabling spiritual fruitfulness.

### Spiritual Warfare

The imagery of the birds snatching the seed and the thorns choking the plants can be seen as representing the spiritual opposition and worldly cares that hinder the growth of faith.

## Character check-ins

### The Sower

The central figure who sows the seed, representing Christ or the preacher of the Word.

### The Lord

Referred to as 'Lord of grace and power' who blesses the field and gives the seed.

### God

Invoked as 'Father of mercies' in the closing prayer for preparing grace.

## Key lines

> Ye sons of earth, prepare the plough, Break up your fallow ground!

O people of the world, get ready to work the soil of your hearts; break up the hard, unproductive ground!

_The call to repentance and preparation for receiving God's word._

> But where the Lord of grace and power Has bless’d the happy field, How plenteous is the golden store The deep-wrought furrows yield!

But where the Lord, who is gracious and mighty, has blessed the receptive heart, the harvest of good works is abundant and rich.

_The contrast between the fruitless soils and the blessed good soil that yields a plentiful harvest._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/85-the-sower
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters