The Cyber Hymnal ‎#1587

1587. Forgive Them, O My Father

1. Forgive them, O my Father,
They know not what they do.
The Savior spoke in anguish,
As sharp iron nails went through.
No word of anger spoke He
To them that shed His blood,
But prayer and tenderest pity
Large as the love of God.

2. For me was that compassion,
For me that tender care;
I need His wide forgiveness
As much as any there.
It was my pride and hardness
That hung Him on the tree;
Those cruel nails, O Savior,
Were driven in by me.

3. And often I have slighted
Thy gentle voice that said:
Forgive me too, Lord Jesus,
I knew not what I did.
O depth of sweet compassion!
O love divine and true!
Save Thou the souls that slight Thee,
And know not what they do.

Text Information

• First Line: Forgive them, O my Father
• Title: Forgive Them, O My Father
• Author: Cecil F. Alexander (1875)
• Meter: 76.76 D
• Language: English
• Source: Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1875, alt.
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tunes: JEBOULT, Harold A. Jeboult, in The English Hymnal (London: Oxford University Press, 1906); LLANGLOFFAN, Welsh melody from Hymnau a Thonau, by D. Evans, 1865

Tune Information

• Name: VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN
• Composer: Melchior Teschner (1613)
• Meter: 76.76 D
• Incipit: 15567 11321 17115
• Key: C Major
• Copyright: Public Domain