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What contradictions meet Travailing in birth for souls

John Newton printed it in 1779 in Olney Hymns, Book II, no. 26, under Galatians 4:19.

WRITTEN BY

John Newton 1725–1807

PRINTED

1779 Olney Hymns · no. 26

METRE

6.6.6.6.8.8 6 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Galatians 4:19 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 6 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

AMONG THE SCRIPTURES

The stanzas at the centre; around them, every book its heading and its echoes come from, Old Testament on the left and New on the right. Choose a stanza or a book.

a line echoes this verse its heading or an echo comes from here

STANZA I

What contradictions meet

In ministers’ employ!

It is a bitter sweet,

A sorrow full of joy:

No other post affords a place

For equal honor, or disgrace!

No line of this stanza quotes a verse closely; it is the hymn's own confession.

Where Newton found it

Newton printed the hymn under Galatians 4:19. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, GALATIANS 4:19 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ GALATIANS 4

The Savior’s dying love, The soul’s amazing worth; Their utmost efforts move, And draw their bowels forth: They pray and strive, their rest departs, Till CHRIST be formed in sinners hearts. STANZA III

Its place in the book

Book II of the hymn book, “On occasional subjects”, holds these hymns in this order: 100 hymns. This is number 26. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.

NO. 26 · JOHN NEWTON · THIS HYMN What contradictions meet

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