# Hungry and Faint and Poor explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

The chapter is a prayerful hymn expressing the congregation's spiritual poverty and dependence on God's mercy. They gather at the door of mercy, acknowledging they have no righteousness to plead, and ask God to provide the spiritual food only He can give, that they may eat and live.

## Themes in this chapter

### Prayer and Dependence on God

The entire hymn is a prayer of dependence, acknowledging that without God's provision, they would starve.

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The petitioners have no money or righteousness to offer, relying solely on God's unmerited bounty.

## Character check-ins

### The Lord

The one to whom the prayer is addressed, who invites the needy and provides spiritual food.

### The Narrator

The speaker, representing the congregation, expressing their hunger, poverty, and dependence on God.

## Key lines

> Hungry and faint and poor, Behold us, Lord, again Assembled at thy mercy’s door, Thy bounty to obtain.

We come before you, Lord, weak and needy, gathered at the entrance of your mercy, hoping to receive your generous gifts.

_The opening lines set the tone of humble supplication._

> Thy word invites us nigh, Or we must starve indeed; For we no money have to buy, No righteousness to plead.

Your invitation draws us near, for without it we would perish; we have nothing to offer, no good deeds to present as a claim.

_Acknowledges that salvation is entirely by grace, not by works._

> The food our spirits want Thy hand alone can give; Oh! hear the pray’r of faith, and grant That we may eat and live.

Only you can provide the spiritual nourishment our souls crave; hear our faithful prayer and grant us life.

_The final stanza is a plea for God to supply spiritual sustenance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/92
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters