# The Sea explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

The poem uses the metaphor of the sea to describe the speaker's spiritual journey. Initially, the heart seems calm and peaceful, but when temptation arises, it reveals its treacherous nature, leading to despair. The speaker cries out to the Lord for salvation, and Christ calms the storm within, granting peace that is recognized as His gift, not the speaker's own. The poem concludes with a resolve to never trust the heart again.

## Themes in this chapter

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The peace granted by Christ is not earned but is a gift, highlighting unmerited favor.

### Prayer and Dependence on God

The speaker's cry 'Lord, save me, or I sink' exemplifies dependence on God in times of trouble.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

Reveals His love, hears the prayer for salvation, and commands the tempest to cease, bringing peace.

### The Narrator

Describes the heart's initial calm, the turmoil of temptation, and the subsequent peace found in Christ.

### Satan

The tempter whose power rouses the speaker's corruptions, causing spiritual storm and despair.

## Key lines

> Lord, save me, or I sink, I pray’d; He heard, and bid the tempest cease;

I prayed for salvation, and the Lord listened and calmed the storm.

_The speaker's plea and Christ's response mirror the biblical account of Jesus calming the storm._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/87-the-sea
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters