Wilt Thou Forgive that sin where I begun,
Which is my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt Thou forgive those sins 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 by 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 wallowed 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 will perish on the shore.
Swear by Thyself that at my death, Thy Son
Shall shine as he shines now and heretofore.
Having done that,
Thou haste done,
I fear no more.
John Donne
I have a typed copy of this poem pasted on the inside cover of my ESV Bible. It was written late in Donne’s life and along with his contemporary, George Herbert, is one of my favorite poets. The poem is simple and straight forward, but will, with multiple careful rereads produce additional insights. Keep in mind the play on Donne’s own name and bear in mind that his much loved deceased wife’s name was Anne More. The sovereign grace of God’s elective purpose overcame both the damming effects of original sin and the rakish lascivious predilections of his youth. Moreover, even the fear of death and judgment is subdued by the assurance of God’s covenantal love: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8.32).
Which is my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt Thou forgive those sins 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 by 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 wallowed 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 will perish on the shore.
Swear by Thyself that at my death, Thy Son
Shall shine as he shines now and heretofore.
Having done that,
Thou haste done,
I fear no more.
John Donne
I have a typed copy of this poem pasted on the inside cover of my ESV Bible. It was written late in Donne’s life and along with his contemporary, George Herbert, is one of my favorite poets. The poem is simple and straight forward, but will, with multiple careful rereads produce additional insights. Keep in mind the play on Donne’s own name and bear in mind that his much loved deceased wife’s name was Anne More. The sovereign grace of God’s elective purpose overcame both the damming effects of original sin and the rakish lascivious predilections of his youth. Moreover, even the fear of death and judgment is subdued by the assurance of God’s covenantal love: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8.32).
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