A Hymn To God The Father Poem by John Donne

A Hymn To God The Father

Rating: 3.1


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 sin 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 have 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.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
aMan Bloom 28 June 2010

This is classic trash that has done the world more harm than good.

19 44 Reply
Michael Pruchnicki 28 June 2009

John Donne was a metaphysical poet who delighted in creating word-play in his poetry. Has no one noticed the double and triple meaning he gives the past tense of the verb DONE? Read the poem aloud and you might be surprised and pleased by his clever use of one word to denote himself (DONNE) and action he must take to redeem himself in the eyes of GOD THE FATHER! Donne's persona (which we can take to be John Donne himself) questions GOD about his sin that he still commits on a regular basis though he's sorry! Second stanza Donne admits that he has led others astray, even though he quit for a year, he's spent twenty years wallowing in like a pig in a sty. The final stanza asserts his fear that he will die and be damned, but he expects the grace of GOD THE FATHER to shine on him through the intercession of GOD in the form of JESUS CHRIST! Note the final line of each stanza - from FOR I HAVE MORE to I FEAR NO MORE!

21 7 Reply
Richard Wlodarski 09 October 2017

An absolutely stunning poem! Confessing to all his mortal sins. And being forgiven. And then, to confess to his fear of death. Not only is he forgiven, but he sees the light of Jesus. And his fear is gone. In Soul's Journey - Parts I - V, I write about my near death encounter with Jesus. So poems like this totally resonate with me.

18 5 Reply
Joseph Poewhit 28 June 2010

Highlights nicely, with humility, at the ending, of having GODS son as our savior for our weak failings in life's lusts.

13 9 Reply
Ramesh T A 28 June 2010

He has not said what sin he has committed! But poem is going on well!

11 10 Reply
Eguanei 23 November 2021

Gud

0 0 Reply
LEVI 11 January 2021

Many Thanks

0 1 Reply
Gregory Tuck 27 September 2020

I have always cherished this short poem, encompassing as it does, and in beautiful terms, the issues of original sin and Redemption.

2 1 Reply
K booker 21 September 2020

Poet Sean Kelly What Is A God

0 1 Reply
stevi navinskey 28 December 2018

that was a realy good speech

2 2 Reply
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
John Donne

John Donne

London, England
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