Olney Hymns · Chapter
Another explained
A prayer hymn invoking God's blessing on the new year, asking for fervent prayer, divine guidance, and the transformation of hearts through the gospel.
What happens
A prayer hymn invoking God's blessing on the new year, asking for fervent prayer, divine guidance, and the transformation of hearts through the gospel. It petitions for the shepherd's care, the revelation of sin, and the melting power of Christ's love, concluding with a call for universal praise.
Themes in this chapter
Prayer and Dependence on God
The entire hymn is a prayer, emphasizing the necessity of fervent prayer to bring down gracious answers from the throne.
Grace and Unmerited Favor
The hymn pleads for God's blessing and power, acknowledging that only divine grace can melt a heart of steel and transform lives.
Characters to notice
- The Lord
Addressed as the Shepherd of the blood-bought sheep and the one who blesses the opening year.
- Jesus Christ
Implied as the Shepherd and the one whose dying love melts hearts of steel.
- The Narrator
The speaker who offers fervent prayer and intercedes for the assembly.
Key passages
“I Now may fervent prayer arise, Wing’d with faith, and pierce the skies; Fervent prayer shall bring us down Gracious answers from the throne.”
Let our earnest prayers, carried by faith, ascend to heaven, and they will bring back God's gracious responses.
The opening stanza sets the tone of confident prayer.
“Shepherd of thy blood-bought sheep! Teach the stony heart to weep; Let the blind have eyes to see, See themselves and look on thee!”
O Shepherd who purchased your flock with your blood, make hard hearts sorrowful, open blind eyes to see their own sin and to look to you.
A plea for spiritual awakening and repentance.
“Then thy dying love reveal, This shall melt a heart of steel.”
When you show us your sacrificial love, even the most stubborn heart will be softened.
The power of Christ's love is seen as the ultimate agent of transformation.