# Matins—Wednesday explained — Verses on Various Occasions

> Chapter companion for Verses on Various Occasions by John Henry Newman.

## What happens

A hymn for Wednesday Matins, calling upon God as the creator and controller of all things to cast out spiritual slumber and wash away sins. The worshippers rise before daybreak to confess, lifting their hearts and hands in need, following the example of the Psalmists and St. Paul. They acknowledge that every sin, even hidden ones, is bare before God's eye, and they pray for mercy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sin and Redemption

The hymn focuses on confessing sins, asking for them to be washed away, and seeking God's mercy.

### Faith and Doubt

The worshippers express faith by rising to confess and trusting in God's mercy despite their sins.

## Character check-ins

### Lord

Addressed as the creator and controller of all, who is asked to cast out slumber and wash away sins.

### Paul

Cited as the example for the deed of lifting hearts and hands in prayer.

### David

Implied through 'holy Psalmists' who give the word for prayer.

## Key lines

> Who madest all and dost control, Lord, with Thy touch divine, Cast out the slumbers of the soul, The rest that is not Thine.

You who created everything and govern it, Lord, by your divine power, drive away the spiritual drowsiness and the rest that is not from you.

_The opening lines ask God to remove spiritual lethargy._

> Our hearts and hands by night, O Lord, We lift them in our need; As holy Psalmists give the word, And holy Paul the deed.

At night, Lord, we raise our hearts and hands to you in our necessity, following the instruction of the holy Psalmists and the example of Saint Paul.

_The worshippers emulate biblical figures in their prayer posture._

> Each sin to Thee of years gone by, Each hidden stain lies bare; We shrink not from Thine awful eye, But pray that Thou wouldst spare.

Every sin from past years and every secret fault is exposed before you; we do not flinch from your fearsome gaze, but instead ask you to show mercy.

_Acknowledging that all sins are known to God, the worshippers seek forgiveness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/cxxvii-matins-wednesday
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters