Christian Classics
‹ Olney Hymns
Contents
Preface1. On man, in his own image made2. When Adam fell he quickly lost3. O! for a closer walk with God4. By faith in CHRIST I walk with God5. How hurtful was the choice of Lot6. The saints should never be dismayed7. Though troubles assail8. Poor Esau repented too late9. If the LORD our leader be10. Nay, I cannot let Thee go11. My soul once had its plenteous years12. When Joseph his brethren beheld13. Bitter, indeed, the waters are14. Heal us, EMMANUEL, here we are15. Manna to Israel well supplied16. The manna favored Israel’s meat17. By whom was David taught18. When Israel heard the fiery law19. See Aaron, God’s anointed priest20. How blest the righteous are21. When Joshua, by GOD’s command22. Jesus, whose blood so freely streamed23. The signs which GOD to Gideon gave24. The lion that on Sampson roared25. When Hannah pressed with grief26. When first to make my heart his own27. The kine unguided went28. When first my soul enlisted29. How David, when by sin deceived30. Poor, weak, and worthless though I am31. Come, my soul, thy suit prepare32. If Solomon for wisdom prayed33. Behold the throne of grace!34. From Sheba a distant report35. Elijah’s example declares36. By the poor widow’s oil and meal37. Though Jericho pleasantly stood38. Before Elisha’s gate39. The prophets sons, in time of old40. Alas! Elisha’s servant cried41. Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)42. Joy is a fruit that will not grow43. Sweet was the time when first I felt44. Savior shine and cheer my soul45. In mercy, not in wrath, rebuke46. How tedious and tasteless the hours47. Incarnate God! the soul that knows48. That man no guard or weapons needs49. When Israel was from Egypt freed50. For mercies, countless as the sands51. What a mournful life is mine52. Ere God had built the mountains53. One there is, above all others54. The evils that beset our path55. God gives his mercies to be spent;56. Honey though the bee prepares57. How sweet the name of Jesus sounds58. I Will praise thee every day59. He who on earth as man was known60. Glorious things of thee are spoken61. As the serpent raised by Moses62. How lost was my condition63. Pensive, doubting, fearful heart64. The LORD will happiness divine65. Hear what God the LORD hath spoken66. As parched in the barren sands67. My God! how perfect are thy ways!68. My God! till I received thy stroke69. From pole to pole let others roam70. Once perishing in blood I lay71. The Lord proclaims his grace abroad!72. As birds their infant brood protect73. Supported by the word74. Poor sinners! little do they think75. As once for Jonah, so the Lord76. Son of God! thy people’s shield!77. With Satan, my accuser near78. Jesus Christ, the Lord’s anointed79. There is a fountain filled with blood80. When sinners utter boasting words81. Encouraged by thy word82. Oft as the leper’s case I read83. Physician of my sin–sick soul84. When Jesus claims the sinner’s heart85. Ye sons of earth prepare the plow86. Though in the outward church below87. A Word from JESUS calms the sea88. Prayer an answer will obtain89. What think you of Christ? is the test90. When descending from the sky91. When Peter boasted, soon he fell92. Legion was my name by nature93. Could the creatures help or ease us94. When the disciples crossed the lake95. Mercy, O thou Son of David!96. Thy mansion is the christian’s heart97. One aweful word which JESUS spoke98. Once a woman silent stood99. How kind the good Samaritan100. Martha her love and joy expressed101. The castle of the human heart102. My barns are full, my stores increase103. The church a garden is104. Afflictions, though they seem severe;105. A Worldling spent each day106. Our Lord, who knows full well107. Zaccheus climbed the tree108. Simon, beware! the Savior said109. Father, forgive (the Savior said)110. Sovereign grace has pow’r alone111. Jesus, to what didst thou submit112. Beside the gospel pool113. Here at Bethesda’s pool, the poor114. Constrained by their LORD to embark115. When any turn from Zion’s way116. I Am, saith CHRIST our glorious head117. Mary to her Savior’s tomb118. Hark, my soul! it is the LORD;119. ’Tis a point I long to know120. As some tall rock amidst the waves121. Lord, thou hast won, at length I yield122. Fervent persevering prayers123. A Believer, free from care124. Then the apostle wonders wrought125. If Paul in Caesar’s court must stand126. I would, but cannot sing127. Darkness overspreads us here128. When Israel’s tribes were parched with thirst129. Oppressed with unbelief and sin130. Strange and mysterious is my life131. Fierce passions discompose the mind132. Israel in ancient days133. The word of CHRIST, our Lord134. By various maxims, forms and rules135. Afflictions do not come alone136. Thus saith the LORD to Ephesus137. The message first to Smyrna sent138. Write to Sardis, saith the Lord139. Thus saith the holy One, and true140. Hear what the Lord, the great Amen141. When the beloved disciple took1. While with ceaseless course the sun2. Time, with an unwearied hand3. See! another year is gone!4. Time, by moments, steals away5. Hark! how time’s wide sounding bell6. Oft in vain the voice of truth7. Now, gracious Lord, thine arm reveal8. Bestow, dear Lord, upon our youth9. Now may fervent prayer arise10. When Peter through the tedious night11. Sin has undone our wretched race12. Gracious Lord, our children see13. The Shunemite, oppressed with grief14. Does it not grief, and wonder move15. Preachers may, from Ezekiel’s case16. When Moses waved his mystic rod17. The God who once to Israel spoke18. O Thou, at whose almighty word19. Elisha, struck with grief and awe20. O David’s Son, and David’s Lord!21. Let us adore the grace that seeks22. Jesus, who bought us with his blood23. Ensnared, too long, my heart has been24. Zion! the city of our God25. Beneath the tyrant Satan’s yoke26. What contradictions meet27. Thy message, by the preacher, seal28. When Paul was parted from his friends29. Alas! by nature how depraved30. See, how rude winter’s icy hand31. Though cloudy skies, and northern blasts32. Bleak winter is subdued at length33. Pleasing spring again is here!34. Though the morn may be serene35. The grass, and flow’rs, which clothe the field36. See! the corn again in ear!37. Sweeter founds than music knows38. My song shall bless the LORD of all39. Now let us join with hearts and tongues40. Safely through another week41. The LORD, our salvation and light42. Let hearts and tongues unite43. O LORD, our languid souls inspire44. Jesus, where’er thy people meet45. How welcome to the saints, when pressed46. O happy they who know the Lord47. Happy are they, to whom the LORD48. Once, while we aimed at Zion’s songs49. Gladness was spread through Israel’s host50. Chief Shepherd of thy chosen sheep51. Savior, visit thy plantation52. My harp untuned, and laid aside53. This is the feast of heav’nly wine54. When on the cross, my Lord I see55. The Savior! what a noble flame56. Let me dwell on Golgotha57. In evil long I took delight58. When Israel by divine command59. Refreshed by the bread and wine60. What various hindrances we meet61. In themselves, as weak as worms62. The Spirit breathes upon the word63. Precious Bible! what a treasure64. The gath’ring clouds, with aspect dark65. O, may the pow’r which melts the rock66. While Joshua led the armed bands67. See the gloomy gath’ring cloud68. Although on massy pillars built69. Wearied by day with toils and cares70. Kindred in CHRIST, for his dear sake71. As the sun’s enliv’ning eye72. In vain my fancy strives to paint73. His master taken from his head74. Oft as the bell, with solemn toll75. My soul, this curious house of clay76. Courage, my soul! behold the prize77. Day of judgment, day of wonders!78. God, with one piercing glance, looks through79. John in vision saw the day80. That was a wonder–working word81. The book of nature open lies82. When the sun, with cheerful beams83. When a black overspreading cloud84. A Glance from heav’n, with sweet effect85. The moon in silver glory shone86. The moon has but a borrowed light87. If for a time the air be calm88. Though small the drops of falling rain89. The ice and snow we lately saw90. As needles point towards the pole91. On the same flow’r we often see92. The subtle spider often weaves93. A Lion, though by nature wild94. The Savior calls his people sheep95. A Garden contemplation suits96. A Shelter from the rain or wind97. The water stood like walls of brass98. When slumber seals our weary eyes99. See, the world for youth prepares100. Blinded in youth by Satan’s arts1. No words can declare2. Stop, poor sinner! stop and think3. Shall men pretend to pleasure4. Sinner, art thou still secure?5. Sinner, hear the Savior’s callSimilar Hymns6. Ah, what can I do7. O LORD, how vile am I8. My former hopes are dead9. My soul is beset10. Breathe from the gentle South, O LORD11. Cheer up, my soul, there is a mercy–seat12. Approach, my soul, the mercy–seat13. To those who know the LORD I speak14. Does the gospel–word proclaimSimilar Hymns15. God moves in a mysterious way16. ’Tis my happiness below17. O How I love thy holy word18. The billows swell the winds are high19. God of my life, to thee I call20. My soul is sad and much dismayed;21. ’Tis past—the dreadful stormy night22. Unless the LORD had been my stay23. When darkness long has veiled my mind24. The Savior hides his face!25. When my prayers are a burden and task26. Dear Lord accept a sinful heart27. Kindle, Savior, in my heart28. Lord, who hast suffered all for me29. O Lord, my best desire fulfill30. When my Savior, my Shepherd is near31. Return to bless my waiting eyes32. Though sore beset with guilt and fear33. Forest beasts, that live by prey34. When the poor pris’ner through a grate35. Uncertain how the way to find36. I asked the LORD that I might grow37. Begone unbelief38. If to Jesus for relief39. Unbelief the soul dismays40. Be still my heart! these anxious cares41. One glance of thine, eternal LORD42. From Egypt lately freedSimilar Hymns43. Sight, hearing, feeling, taste and smell44. How blest thy creature is, O God45. Far from the world, O Lord, I flee46. Why should I fear the darkest hour47. To tell the Savior all my wants48. Sometimes a light surprises49. Lord my soul with pleasure springs50. Honor and happiness unite51. I was a groveling creature once52. Yes! since God himself has said it53. O, speak that gracious word again54. Saved by blood I live to tell55. While I lived without the Lord56. When the wounded spirit hears57. When Hagar found the bottle spent58. As when the weary travell’r gainsSimilar Hymns59. Let worldly minds the world pursue60. Happy the birth where grace presides61. I thirst, but not as once I did62. No strength of nature can suffice63. Sin enslaved me many years64. Holy LORD GOD! I love thy truth65. Quiet, LORD, my froward heart66. Fix my heart and eyes on thine!67. Ten thousand talents once I owedSimilar Hymns68. The new–born child of gospel–grace69. O God, whose favorable eye70. Zeal is that pure and heav’nly flame71. The LORD receives his highest praise72. Too many, LORD, abuse thy grace73. What thousands never knew the road!74. To keep the lamp alive75. Grace, triumphant in the throne76. Sin, when viewed by scripture light77. Destruction’s dangerous road78. The wishes that the sluggard frames79. How soon the Savior’s gracious callSimilar Hymns80. Of all the gifts thine hand bestows81. Almighty King! whose wondrous hand82. Let us love, and sing, and wonder83. Winter has a joy for me84. Rejoice, believer, in the LORD85. Salvation! what a glorious plan86. Now may the LORD reveal his face87. Prepare a thankful song88. Lord, what is man! extremes how wideSimilar Hymns89. Confirm the hope thy word allows90. Now, LORD, inspire the preacher’s heart91. Thy promise, LORD, and thy command92. Hungry, and faint, and poor93. Remember us, we pray thee, LORD94. Not to Sinai’s dreadful blaze95. Often thy public means of grace96. With Israel’s God who can compare?97. JESUS is mine! I’m now prepared98. We seek a rest beyond the skies99. The saints EMMANUEL’S portion are100. Now may He who from the dead101. May the grace of CHRIST our Savior102. The peace which God alone reveals103. To thee our wants are known104. The Father we adore105. Father of angels and of men106. Glory to God, the FATHER’S name107. Ye saints on earth ascribe with heav’ns high host

John Newton & William Cowper · 131 of 356

130. Strange and mysterious is my life

Hymn 130

Strange and mysterious is my life, What opposites I feel within! A stable peace, a constant strife, The rule of , the pow’r of sin: Too often I am captive led, Yet daily triumph in my Head.

I prize the privilege of prayer, But o! what backwardness to pray! Though on the LORD I cast my care, I feel its burden every day: I seek his will in all I do, Yet find my own is working too.

I call the promises my own, And prize them more than mines of gold; Yet though their sweetness I have known, They leave me unimpressed and cold One hour upon the truth I feed, The next I know not what I read.

I love the holy day of rest, When Jesus meets his gathered ; Sweet day, of all the week the best! For its return my spirit pants: Yet often, through my unbelief, It proves a day of guilt and grief.

While on my Savior I rely, I know my foes shall loose their aim; And therefore dare their pow’r defy, Assured of conquest through his name: But soon my confidence is slain, And all my fears return again.

Thus different pow’rs within me strive, And , and sin, by turns prevail; I grieve, rejoice, decline, revive, And vict’ry hangs in doubtful scale: But JESUS has his promise passed, That shall overcome at last.