Dreadful Mercy



Your mercy, God, oh—how it startles us!
It shakes us loose from earthly things that bind,
Determined, grim, severe, it visits thus—
In pain, in death—what torment to the mind!

We push you out—no room within our hearts;
They’re full—of fear, and lust, cheap love and greed.
Your Son seeks refuge, but rebuffed departs—
In sorrow contemplates the broken reed…

He tears Himself from heaven’s pure delight,
His sigh of grief becomes incarnate breath.
Aghast at mercy, mindful of His plight,
Asks You to free Him from the grip of death.

He died! He rose! Dealt painful blow to sin.
Oh God—help us to let your mercy in!

About this poem

A sonnet reflecting on God's mercy—seemingly harsh, yet redemptive, purifying…

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Written on February 02, 2022

Submitted by dwayne on January 08, 2023

Modified on March 14, 2023

36 sec read
44

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 642
Words 121
Stanzas 4
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 2

Discuss the poem Dreadful Mercy with the community...

1 Comment
  • NeriahAnaiah
    This is a beautiful piece! It touched my heart deeply , never stop writing about our sweet Lord and Saviour!
    LikeReply1 year ago

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"Dreadful Mercy" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/150406/dreadful-mercy>.

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