# Another explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/9-another
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters