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 & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
William 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.