Scripture Verse

Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34

Introduction

Words: Vi­en­na G. Ram­sey, in The Psalm­o­dy (Do­ver, New Hamp­shire: Free­will Bap­tist Print­ing Es­tab­lish­ment, 1853), num­ber 684.

Music: Ab­er Will­iam H. Monk, in Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern, 1875 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know Ram­sey’s full name, or where to get a good pho­to of her (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), would you ?

portrait
William H. Monk
1823–1889

Lyrics

An awful day draws near;
A storm of wrath must fall:
O, how shall those I love appear
Before the Judge of all!

The path of death they choose;
And boldly walk therein;
My soul with deepest sorrow views
Their danger and their sin.

Careless they press the brink
Of infinite despair;
Can I endure to see them sink
In hopeless ruin there?

I pour unceasing tears;
By day and night I cry;
Almighty Father, hear my prayers,
Nor let these sinners die.