# Suffering and Affliction in Olney Hymns

> Theme guide for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

The role of trials, crosses, and afflictions in the believer's life, seen as instruments of divine discipline, purification, and a means to draw closer to God.

## Where it surfaces

- [5: Lot in Sodom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/5-lot-in-sodom): Lot's righteous soul was distressed by the sins of Sodom, and he faced scorn and strife.
- [Plenty in the Time of Dearth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/11-plenty-in-the-time-of-dearth): The spiritual famine described represents a period of affliction and barrenness, which drives the soul to depend on God.
- [The Bitter Waters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/13-the-bitter-waters): The poem opens with the bitterness of desert waters, symbolizing the trials and sorrows of life that taste of sin and woe.
- [Jehovah-Rophi—I Am the Lord That Healeth Thee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/14-jehovah-rophi-i-am-the-lord-that-healeth-thee): The 'deep-wounded souls' and the plea for healing highlight the affliction of sin and doubt.
- [24: Samson's Lion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/24-samson-s-lion): The poem presents afflictions as a means of spiritual growth, bringing sweetness and comfort from trials.
- [Oh That I Were as in Months Past!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/43-oh-that-i-were-as-in-months-past): The speaker mourns the loss of joy and experiences deep spiritual anguish.
- [The Change](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/44-the-change): The speaker describes a 'stormy hour' of spiritual affliction, with joys put to flight and day turned to night.
- [Pleading for Mercy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/45-pleading-for-mercy): The speaker describes physical and emotional anguish, including heavy groans, broken bones, anxious fears, and floods of tears.
- [Dwelling in Mesech](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/51-dwelling-in-mesech): The speaker's life is filled with crosses, pains, cares, and snares, and he mourns for the deceived and the grieved Spirit.
- [To the Afflicted, Tossed with Tempests, and Not Comforted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/63-to-the-afflicted-tossed-with-tempests-and-not-comforted): The poem directly addresses the afflicted, tempest-tossed, comfortless soul, acknowledging present pain.
- [The Contrite Heart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/64-the-contrite-heart): The speaker experiences spiritual affliction, feeling insensible, weak, and without comfort, which is a form of suffering.
- [The Future Peace and Glory of the Church](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/65-the-future-peace-and-glory-of-the-church): The opening lines acknowledge the present afflictions and brokenness of God's people, which are contrasted with the future glory.
- [Ephraim Repenting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/68-ephraim-repenting): The 'sharp rebuke' and 'stroke' are instruments of divine discipline leading to repentance.
- [Weeping Mary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/117-weeping-mary): Mary's weeping and sorrow at the loss of her Lord illustrate the affliction of the faithful, but the poem promises that Jesus will wipe away tears.
- [The Death of Stephen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/120-the-death-of-stephen): The chapter depicts the reality of persecution and martyrdom, yet frames it as an opportunity for divine comfort and heavenly vision.
- [That Rock Was Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/128-that-rock-was-christ): Christ's suffering is contrasted with the physical rock; He was wounded, torn, and slain, enduring the wrath of God.
- [Contentment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/131-contentment): The poem acknowledges troubles and griefs, but contrasts them with everlasting pain and Christ's own suffering, leading to patient endurance.
- [Love Tokens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/135-love-tokens): Afflictions are presented as a voice from God, a means of discipline and a token of His love.
- [Smyrna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/137-smyrna): The hymn acknowledges the church's sorrows and trials, including poverty and imprisonment, but frames them as temporary and purposeful.
- [The Little Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/141-the-little-book): The chapter describes the bitterness that follows initial sweetness, including sin, Satan's threats, God's afflictions, and human reviling.
- [New Year's Hymns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/new-year-s-hymns): The hymns acknowledge the sorrows and trials of life, including death, war, and the consequences of sin, but point to God as a refuge.
- [Death and War. 1778](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/5-death-and-war-1778): The poem describes 'crops of sorrow' and the devastating effects of war, including death and desolation, as afflictions experienced by the land.
- [The Shunammite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/13-the-shunammite): The Shunammite's grief over her son's death and the spiritual deadness of sinners.
- [Travailing in Birth for Souls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/26-travailing-in-birth-for-souls): The chapter vividly describes the pain and grief faithful preachers endure when their efforts seem fruitless and hearts remain hard.
- [Paul's Farewell Charge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/28-paul-s-farewell-charge): The weeping at parting reflects the affliction of separation, yet it is tempered by divine comfort.
- [Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/30-winter): The spiritual winter represents a period of affliction and barrenness, a common theme in Christian experience.
- [Waiting for Spring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/31-waiting-for-spring): Believers experience spiritual winters that test and refine them.
- [Spring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/32-spring): The speaker is oppressed with sin and doubt, experiencing a spiritual winter that external beauty cannot alleviate.
- [Summer Storms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/34-summer-storms): The poem describes the sudden storms of temptation and trouble that afflict believers, causing fear, trembling, and loss of hope.
- [Prayer for the Continuance of the Gospel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/48-prayer-for-the-continuance-of-the-gospel): The chapter acknowledges the trials, pain, and cares that press upon the believers, yet finds that the gospel sweetens all afflictions.
- [Prayer for a Revival](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/51-prayer-for-a-revival): The poem describes the affliction of spiritual drought, decline, and blighted hopes, and the suffering of the church.
- [Sacramental Hymns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/sacramental-hymns): The crucifixion is vividly portrayed, and believers are encouraged to bear their lighter crosses in light of Christ's suffering.
- [Jesus Hasting to Suffer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/55-jesus-hasting-to-suffer): The poem focuses on Christ's impending suffering and the believer's own 'lighter cross' to bear.
- [Providences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/iii-providences): The hymns acknowledge the trials and conflicts of life, but point to the rest and relief found in Christ.
- [67: The Hiding-Place. Feb. 10, 1779](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/67-the-hiding-place-feb-10-1779): The gathering cloud and times of trouble represent affliction and judgment.
- [On the Earthquake. Sept. 8, 1775](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/68-on-the-earthquake-sept-8-1775): The earthquake brings shock and fear, serving as a form of affliction meant to prompt repentance.
- [Funeral Hymns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/funeral-hymns): The hymns acknowledge the trials and weariness of life, but they point to the rest and relief that await in heaven.
- [On the Death of a Believer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/72-on-the-death-of-a-believer): The poem acknowledges the sorrow of loss and the daily pain of missing the departed, while also affirming that God can repair every breach and wipe away tears.
- [The Day of Judgment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/77-the-day-of-judgment): Believers are encouraged to endure present sorrows and reproaches with the assurance that God's great day will turn their sighs into praise.
- [Lightning in the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/84-lightning-in-the-night): The speaker's pain is aggravated by the brevity of comfort, yet he is encouraged not to murmur.
- [On the Eclipse of the Moon. July 30, 1776](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/85-on-the-eclipse-of-the-moon-july-30-1776): The eclipse symbolizes the darkness and gloom experienced by Christ in Gethsemane and the believer's own seasons of spiritual darkness.
- [Book III: On the Rise, Progress, Changes, and Comforts of the Spiritual Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/book-iii-on-the-rise-progress-changes-and-comforts-of-the-spiritual-life): The Christian life involves trials and conflicts, but these are overruled by God for good and lead to eternal comfort.
- [Alarm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/2-alarm): The chapter vividly portrays the eternal suffering awaiting sinners in the burning lake, emphasizing the severity of divine judgment.
- [Rest for Weary Souls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/14-rest-for-weary-souls): The speaker describes being burdened with sin, harassed with doubts, and experiencing conflicts within and crosses without.
- [III: Conflict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/iii-conflict): The chapter extensively portrays trials, crosses, and chastisement as means of sanctification and deeper reliance on God.
- [Welcome Cross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/16-welcome-cross): Trials are seen as necessary and beneficial, sent by God to sanctify and draw the believer to Him.
- [Afflictions Sanctified by the Word](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/17-afflictions-sanctified-by-the-word): The poem portrays affliction as a divine tool that leads the speaker to repentance and salvation.
- [Mourning and Longing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/24-mourning-and-longing): The chapter depicts the spiritual affliction of feeling abandoned by God and the struggle with worldly distractions.
- [Prayer for Patience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/28-prayer-for-patience): The poem deals with enduring personal suffering and the temptation to murmur, while recognizing that Christ's suffering was far greater.
- [Submission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/29-submission): The speaker mentions life, health, and comfort being resigned to God's will, implying trials and the need to accept them.
- [The Benighted Traveler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/33-the-benighted-traveler): The speaker's experience of being 'lost, benighted, struck with dread' and walking a 'painful path' when Christ's presence is withdrawn is a profound description of spiritual affliction.
- [The Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/34-the-prisoner): The speaker's profound spiritual distress is depicted as imprisonment, with mourning, fruitless grief, and a pensive spirit fainting.
- [Perplexity Relieved](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/35-perplexity-relieved): The speaker experiences deep spiritual anguish, fear, and despair, which are part of the affliction that leads to reliance on God.
- [Prayer Answered by Crosses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/36-prayer-answered-by-crosses): The speaker experiences inward trials and outward crosses as the means by which God answers his prayer for grace and faith.
- [I Will Trust and Not Be Afraid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/37-i-will-trust-and-not-be-afraid): Acknowledges tribulation and pain as part of the believer's path, but sees them as working for good.
- [The Pilgrim's Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/42-the-pilgrim-s-song): The wilderness journey is marked by griefs, cares, pains, and fears, yet these are temporary and will be amply compensated by eternal joy.
- [IV: Comfort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/iv-comfort): The chapter acknowledges earthly trials and sorrows, but frames them as temporary and overcome by divine comfort.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/themes/suffering_and_affliction
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/themes