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Chancel Choir News
Meditation on John Donne’s “A Hymn to God the Father.” After the choir’s singing of John Donne’s poem/prayer, I hope this reflection will deepen its meaning in your life.
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.
Wilt Thou forgive that sin where I begun, Which was my sin, though it were done before?
John Donne opens his prayerful poem with a deep confession. He names the ancient, shared human sin—but also makes it personal. Often, we hesitate to acknowledge our brokenness. Donne shows us that confession is not a performance, but a posture of truth before God.
Wilt Thou forgive that sin through which I run, And do run still, though still I do deplore?
Donne does not hide his struggle with repeated sin. He deplores it—yet continues. Here, we see echoes of the apostle Paul: “For the good that I would, I do not…” (Romans 7:19). Even in cycles of failure, Donne directs his heart to God. We are invited to do the same.
I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
In these lines, Donne names the fear that haunts many faithful hearts—What if I am not truly saved?
But his final petition is filled with hope: But swear by Thyself that at my death Thy Son Shall shine as He shines now, and heretofore.
This is not a plea for more strength in himself—it is a prayer for the unchanging light of Christ to shine at his death as it shines today.
Let Us Remember:
• God’s mercy meets us even in the sins we repeat.
• God welcomes our fears and doubts, not with anger but with grace.
• Christ, the Light of the World, shines now—and will shine at the hour of our death.
Blessings,
Mike
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