Olney Hymns · Chapter
Ask What I Shall Give Thee explained
This chapter is a prayerful hymn encouraging the soul to approach Jesus with boldness and large petitions, acknowledging His willingness to answer prayer, His grace and power, and the need for cleansing from sin, guidance, and a life of fai
What happens
This chapter is a prayerful hymn encouraging the soul to approach Jesus with boldness and large petitions, acknowledging His willingness to answer prayer, His grace and power, and the need for cleansing from sin, guidance, and a life of faith.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional peak occurs in stanza V, where the speaker’s hope is violently extinguished as Satan obscures ev…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Prayer and Dependence on God
The entire hymn is a prayer, encouraging the soul to bring large petitions to the King, trusting in His willingness to answer.
- Grace and Unmerited Favor
The hymn emphasizes God's grace and power, and the blood of Christ that sets the conscience free from guilt.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
The one who loves to answer prayer, invites the soul to pray, and is asked to take possession of the heart and reign without rival.
- The Narrator
The soul that comes to the King with burdens, seeking rest, cleansing, and guidance.
Key passages
“Thou art coming to a King, Large petitions with thee bring; For his grace and power are such None can ever ask too much.”
You are approaching a King, so bring big requests; His grace and power are so great that no one can ask for too much.
Encourages boldness in prayer because of God's infinite resources.
“As the image in the glass Answers the beholder’s face, Thus unto my heart appear, Print thine own resemblance there.”
Just as a mirror reflects the face of the one looking into it, so appear to my heart and imprint your own likeness upon me.
A plea for transformation into the image of Christ.
