"Mercy
triumphs over Judgment"
Glory
in this truth revealed!
Love
Incarnate stood the torment;
Adam's
punishment repealed!
"Mercy
triumphs over Judgment"
Hope
for mankind, once secured.
He
who knew no sinful nature,
Wrath
for sinners full endured.
O
the range of mankind's offense!
Gross
his sins, and sentence sure;
Holiness
required the verdict-
Death
forever; justice pure.
Yet
a Perfect Love responded,
Purposing
an ancient plan,
Fully
meeting wrath's requirement,
While
compassion off'ring man.
There
from on the Mercy Seat, the
Son
of Righteousness arose;
Cursed
'came He whose Name is Holy;
On
Him fell our rightful blows.
"Mercy
triumphs over Judgment"
Mankind's
sentence now appealed;
From
the holy God offended,
Righteousness
has been revealed!
Glory
to the Justifier!
Praise
His great and gracious plan;
Bless
the holy love of God,
Who gave His Son to ransom Man!
K. Hartnett, 1998
I consider the format of this poem to be somewhat like a musical sonata, with an opening statement followed by a development section and ending with a final, elaborated restatement - a sort of ABA overall design.
The poem was inspired by James 2:13 where I believe the Apostle James had the gospel in mind, even though he was addressing our conduct in interpersonal relationships. I remember having writers block for months after writing the first stanza. It just didn't seem to 'go' anywhere. In the end, it's probably one of the clearest presentations of the gospel I've put in any poem. I've read it a number of times during our worship services.
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