# Before Sermon explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

This chapter consists of hymns and prayers composed for use before a sermon, expressing the congregation's dependence on God for spiritual nourishment, guidance, and blessing. The verses emphasize the need for divine grace, the invitation to approach God through Christ, and the desire for a fruitful hearing of the Word.

## Themes in this chapter

### Prayer and Dependence on God

The entire chapter is a prayer for spiritual nourishment, guidance, and blessing, highlighting the congregation's reliance on God.

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The hymns emphasize that sinners approach God not by their own righteousness but by His grace and invitation.

## Character check-ins

### The Lord

Addressed as the provider of spiritual food and the one who inspires the preacher.

### Jesus Christ

Mentioned as the source of living water, whose death opened the way to God's grace.

### The Narrator

The collective voice of the congregation, expressing hunger, thirst, and dependence on God.

## Key lines

> I Confirm the hope thy word allows, Behold us waiting to be fed; Bless the provisions of thy house, And satisfy thy poor with bread: Drawn by thine invitation Lord, Thirsty and hungry we are come! Now from the fullness of thy word, Feast us, and send us thankful home.

We trust in Your promise, Lord, and come to You hungry and thirsty. Feed us with Your Word and send us away grateful.

_Expresses the congregation's expectation of spiritual nourishment from God's Word._

> Now, Lord, inspire the preacher’s heart, And teach his tongue to speak; Food to the hungry soul impart, And cordials to the weak.

Lord, guide the preacher and give him words that will feed our souls and strengthen the weak.

_A prayer for the preacher's effectiveness and the spiritual benefit of the hearers._

> Thy promise, Lord, and thy command, Have brought us here to-day; And now, we humbly waiting stand To hear what thou wilt say.

We are here because You called us, and we wait humbly to hear Your message.

_Acknowledges God's initiative in gathering the congregation._

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

We come to You weak and needy, seeking Your mercy and provision.

_Highlights human poverty and dependence on God's mercy._

> Not to Sinai’s dreadful blaze, But to Zion’s throne of grace, By a way mark’d out with blood, Sinners now approach to God.

We do not come to God through the terrifying law of Sinai, but through the gracious throne of Zion, made accessible by Christ's blood.

_Contrasts the old covenant of law with the new covenant of grace._

> Lord, there are no streams but thine Can assuage a thirst like mine; ’Tis a thirst thyself didst give, Let me therefore drink and live.

Only You can satisfy my deep spiritual thirst, which You Yourself created. Grant me to drink and live.

_Expresses the soul's longing for God and the recognition that He alone can satisfy._

> Often thy public means of grace, Thy thirsty people’s wat’ring-place, The archers have beset; Attack’d them in thy house of pray’r, To prison dragg’d, or to the bar, When thus together met.

In the past, enemies have attacked Your people even in worship, dragging them to prison or court.

_References historical persecution of Christians gathering for worship._

> But we from such assaults are freed, Can pray and sing and hear and read, And meet and part in peace: May we our privileges prize, In their improvement make us wise, And bless us with increase.

We are now free from such attacks and can worship in peace. Help us to value and use these privileges wisely.

_Thanksgiving for religious liberty and a prayer for its proper use._

> Unless thy presence thou afford, Unless thy blessing clothe the word, In vain our liberty! What would it profit to maintain A name for life, should we remain Formal and dead to thee?

Without Your presence and blessing, our freedom is useless. It would be pointless to have a reputation for life if we are spiritually dead.

_Emphasizes that true worship requires God's presence, not just outward forms._

## Links

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