Olney Hymns · Character

David

The shepherd-king whose psalms and wilderness trials give voice to the believer's own grief, pain, and triumphant faith.

supporting

Also known as young David

First appearance: book i on select texts of scripture

As a supporting figure in Olney Hymns, David is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

David, seemingly destined to fall to Saul, is saved when Saul is diverted by an invading force.

In the storyJehovah-Jireh—The Lord Will ProvideOpen this moment free

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David appears as the psalmist whose experience of being guarded by an almighty hand while snares throng the path becomes the template for every believer's walk. His kingship and his suffering together model the strange mixture of vulnerability and triumph that defines the hymns' spiritual vision. He matters because his voice — crying, trusting, and singing — is the voice these hymns teach their readers to adopt.

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See David in book i on select texts of scripture

Character Web

22 connections

A slice of how David sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Faith and Redemption Figures
Divine Judgment and Mercy
Law and Opposition

+17 more in the full Character Web

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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…

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In the story

David appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Jehovah-Jireh—The Lord Will Provide
David, seemingly destined to fall to Saul, is saved when Saul is diverted by an invading force.
Jehovah-Nissi—The Lord My Banner
Cited as the stripling who, taught by God, slew Goliath with a sling and a stone from the brook.
Saul's Armour
David's example of trusting in God rather than human armor is the central model for the believer.
David’s Fall
Falls into sin through lust, leading to adultery and murder; his heart is hardened until Nathan confronts him.
After Sermons to Young People on New-Year’s Evenings, Suited to the Subjects
David is referenced as a model of faith who commends his children to God, and his charge to Solomon is used as an example.
David’s Charge to Solomon
David is referenced as the one who, at life's end, trusts in God and commends his children to Him.
II: Ordinances
Implied in the reference to the manna and the sanctuary, though not explicitly named; the chapter speaks of the joy of worship and the value of God's house.
Why Art Thou Cast Down?
Referenced as an example of drawing comfort from God's past deliverances (from bear and lion).

Chapter companion notes

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See David in book i on select texts of scripture

See David in Jehovah-Jireh—The Lord Will Provide