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Afflictions, though they seem severe The prodigal son

John Newton printed it in 1779 in Olney Hymns, Book I, no. 104, under Luke 15:11–24.

WRITTEN BY

John Newton 1725–1807

PRINTED

1779 Olney Hymns · no. 104

METRE

Common Metre 8.6.8.6 · 8 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Luke 15:11–24 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 8 stanzas as Newton printed them, with the verses their lines echo beside them. Point at a line to join it to its verse; click to read the passage.

SHARED WORDSthe verse shares the line's wording ECHOproposed by an AI model, confirmed by a separate check Not the author's own notes

Where Newton found it

Newton printed the hymn under Luke 15:11–24. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

11Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing. 17Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food? But here I am, starving to death! 18I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ 20So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate. LUKE 15:11–24 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ LUKE 15

Now let the fatted calf be slain, And spread the news around; My son was dead, but lives again, Was lost, but now is found. STANZA VII

Its place in the book

Book I of Olney Hymns walks through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, one hymn per passage: 141 hymns. This is number 104. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.

NO. 104 · JOHN NEWTON · THIS HYMN Afflictions, though they seem severe

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