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When Jesus claims the sinner’s heart Satan returning
John Newton printed it in 1779 in Olney Hymns, Book I, no. 84, under Matthew 12:43–45.
WRITTEN BY
John Newton 1725–1807
PRINTED
1779 Olney Hymns · no. 84
METRE
Common Metre 8.6.8.6 · 7 stanzas
WRITTEN ON
Matthew 12:43–45 the verse printed above it
The hymn, and the Scripture in it
All 7 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
When Jesus claims the sinner’s heart
When Jesus claims the sinner’s heart,
Where Satan ruled before;
The evil spirit must depart,
And dares return no more.
Where Newton found it
Newton printed the hymn under Matthew 12:43–45. The line that comes closest to it is marked.
43When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order. 45Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there; and the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.” MATTHEW 12:43–45 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ MATTHEW 12
Some outward change perhaps is seen If Satan quit the place; But though the house seem swept and clean, ’Tis destitute of grace. STANZA III
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 84. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.
NO. 84 · JOHN NEWTON · THIS HYMN When Jesus claims the sinner’s heart
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