Olney Hymns · Chapter
The Name of Jesus explained
This hymn celebrates the power and sweetness of the name of Jesus for believers.
What happens
This hymn celebrates the power and sweetness of the name of Jesus for believers. It describes how Jesus' name soothes sorrows, heals wounds, and dispels fear. The hymn portrays Jesus as the rock, shield, hiding-place, and treasury of grace, through whom prayers are accepted despite sin. It acknowledges Satan's accusations but affirms the believer's status as a child of God. Jesus is hailed as Shepherd, Husband, Friend, Prophet, Priest, and King. The hymn expresses the weakness of human praise and the hope of perfect praise in heaven, while committing to proclaim His love until death.
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
- Grace and Unmerited Favor
The name of Jesus brings boundless stores of grace, and prayers are accepted despite sin.
- Spiritual Warfare
Satan accuses, but the believer is safe in Jesus, who is a shield and hiding-place.
- Hope of Heaven and Eternal Life
The hymn looks forward to seeing Jesus as He is and praising Him perfectly in heaven.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
The central figure; His name is sweet, soothing, healing, and a source of grace and acceptance.
- Satan
Accuses the believer, but in vain because of Jesus' name.
- The Narrator
The believer who speaks of the sweetness of Jesus' name and expresses personal devotion.
- The Good Shepherd
Jesus is addressed as Shepherd, indicating His care and guidance.
Key passages
“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds In a believer’s ear!”
The name of Jesus is delightful and comforting to those who believe.
The opening line sets the tone of personal affection and spiritual comfort.
“It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear.”
Jesus' name brings peace to grief, healing to hurts, and removes fear.
Emphasizes the therapeutic and protective power of Jesus' name.
“Dear name! the rock on which I build, My shield and hiding-place My never-failing treas'ry, fill'd With boundless stores of grace.”
The precious name of Jesus is my foundation, protection, and source of infinite grace.
Uses metaphors of rock, shield, hiding-place, and treasury to describe Jesus' sufficiency.
“By thee my pray'rs acceptance gain, Although with sin defiled; Satan accuses me in vain, And I am own'd a child.”
Through Jesus, my prayers are accepted despite my sin; Satan's accusations are futile because I am recognized as God's child.
Highlights the believer's standing before God through Christ and victory over accusation.
“Weak is the effort of my heart, And cold my warmest thought; But when I see thee as thou art I’ll praise thee as I ought.”
My praise is feeble and my affections are lukewarm, but in heaven, when I see Jesus fully, I will praise Him perfectly.
Acknowledges human limitation and anticipates the perfection of worship in glory.
