# The Creatures in the Lord’s Hands explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

This chapter reflects on the sovereignty of God over all creation, illustrating how natural elements and creatures obey His will to aid His servants, and warns against placing trust in creatures rather than in the Lord alone.

## Themes in this chapter

### Divine Providence and Guidance

The poem emphasizes God's sovereign control over all creatures, directing them to serve His purposes.

### Faith and Trust in Christ

The poem encourages trusting in the Lord alone rather than in creatures, highlighting the futility of creature-confidence.

## Character check-ins

### Moses

Moses' prayer caused water to burst from the rock.

### Daniel

Daniel was protected from lions, which became harmless.

### Elijah

Ravens brought him food, demonstrating God's control over creatures.

### God

The Creator who commands all creatures to fulfill His will.

## Key lines

> The water stood like walls of brass, To let the sons of Isr’el pass, And from the rock in rivers burst, At Moses pray’r, to quench their thirst.

The waters of the Red Sea stood firm like walls of brass to allow the Israelites to pass through, and at Moses' prayer, water gushed from the rock to satisfy their thirst.

_This stanza recounts the miraculous provision for Israel during the Exodus._

> At Daniel’s feet the lions lay Like harmless lambs, nor touch’d their prey; And ravens, which on carrion fed, Procured Elijah flesh and bread.

The lions at Daniel's feet were as gentle as lambs and did not harm him, and ravens, which normally eat carrion, brought Elijah meat and bread.

_These examples illustrate God's power to tame even wild creatures for the benefit of His servants._

> Thus creatures only can fulfill Their great Creator’s holy will; And when his servants need their aid, His purposes must be obey’d.

Creatures can only act according to the holy will of their Creator, and when His servants need help, His purposes must be accomplished.

_The poem asserts that all creation is subject to God's sovereign will._

> So, if his blessing he refuse, Their pow’r to help they quickly lose; Sure as on creatures we depend, Our hopes in disappointment end.

If God withholds His blessing, creatures quickly lose their power to help; if we depend on creatures, our hopes will certainly end in disappointment.

_This warns against relying on anything other than God._

> Then let us trust the Lord alone, And creature-confidence disown: Nor if they threaten need we fear, They cannot hurt if he be near.

Therefore, let us trust only in the Lord and reject confidence in creatures; we need not fear their threats, for they cannot harm us if He is near.

_The poem encourages exclusive trust in God and assurance of safety in His presence._

> If instruments of pain they prove, Still they are guided by his love; As lancets by the surgeon’s skill, Which wound to cure, and not to kill.

Even if creatures become instruments of pain, they are still guided by His love, like a surgeon's lancet that wounds to heal, not to kill.

_This stanza reassures that even suffering is under God's loving control and serves a healing purpose._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/97-the-creatures-in-the-lord-s-hands
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters