1*. Forgiveness! 'Twas a Joyful Sound

L.M.
by T. Gibbons, 1784
1
Forgiveness! ’twas a joyful sound
 
To guilty sinners doomed to die:
 
We’d publish it the world around,
 
And gladly shout it through the sky.
2
’Twas the rich gift of love divine;
 
’Tis full, effacing every crime;
 
Unbounded shall its glory shine,
 
And know no change by changing time.
“But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” (Psalm 130:4)
3
For this stupendous gift of heaven,
 
What grateful honors shall we show!
 
Where much transgression is forgiven,
 
May love with fervent ardor glow.
“And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” (Luke 7:42-47)
4
By love inspired, may all our days
 
With every heavenly grace be crowned;
 
May truth and goodness, joy and praise,
 
In all abide, in all abound.
“Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.” (Psalm 103:4)
“For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3 John 3-4)
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