WILT Thou forgive that sin where I begun,
Which was my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin through which I run,
And do run still, though still I do deplore?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done;
For I have more.
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I have won
Others to sin, and made my sins their door?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I did shun
A year or two, but wallow’d in a score?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done;
For I have more.
I have a sin of fear, that when I’ve spun
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
But swear by Thyself that at my death Thy Son
Shall shine as He shines now and heretofore:
And having done that, Thou hast done;
I fear no more.
We were discussing this idea, along with Mary Magdalene, at church this morning. We have such need of a Savior every day. We all have such need of the gospel, the good news that Christ has paid the penalty for our sins and that we are redeemed in Him, every day. We have need of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit every day, every hour.
Jesus, I believe; help my unbelief.
2 thoughts on “A Hymn to God the Father by John Donne”
This is a favorite of mine, only discovered late. It’s amazing how he can pack a lifetime of need into three stanzas, and express so musically and soundly the Answer and Filling of that need. Poems longer than three or four stanzas I’m ashamed to say I don’t have the patience for, so for that reason also I love him for this one
Beautiful! Reminds me of his line “ravish my heart or I’ll never be chaste” from “Batter My Heart, Yet Three-Personed God.”
This is a favorite of mine, only discovered late. It’s amazing how he can pack a lifetime of need into three stanzas, and express so musically and soundly the Answer and Filling of that need. Poems longer than three or four stanzas I’m ashamed to say I don’t have the patience for, so for that reason also I love him for this one
Beautiful! Reminds me of his line “ravish my heart or I’ll never be chaste” from “Batter My Heart, Yet Three-Personed God.”