A Hymn to God the Father by John Donne (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions)

 

A Hymn to God the Father

by John Donne

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions) 

A Hymn to God the Father

Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun,

Which was my sin, though it were done before?

Wilt thou forgive that sin, through which I run,

And do run still, though still I do deplore?

When thou hast done, thou hast not done,

For I have more.

 

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won

Others to sin, and made my sins their door?

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun

A year or two, but wallowed in a score?

When thou hast done, thou hast not done,

For I have more.

 

I have a sin of fear, that when I’ve spun

My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;

But swear by thyself, that at my death thy Son

Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;

And, having done that, thou hast done;

I fear no more.

 

Summary

The poem is a prayer where the speaker repeatedly asks God for forgiveness for different kinds of sins.

In the first stanza, the speaker asks God if He will forgive the sin he committed at the very beginning of his life, a sin that started long ago. The speaker admits that even though he regrets it, he still continues to sin. He says that even if God forgives this sin, he has more sins to confess.

In the second stanza, the speaker asks forgiveness for a sin that caused others to sin as well—he feels responsible for leading others into sin. He also mentions a sin he avoided for a time but later fell back into repeatedly. Even after this forgiveness, he still admits there are more sins.

In the third stanza, the speaker confesses his fear of dying without being saved—he fears that when his life ends, he will perish. He asks God to swear by Himself (God) that His Son (Jesus) will shine on him at death as He has before, bringing salvation. Only after this assurance will the speaker be free from fear.

In short, the poem is a humble, repeated plea for God’s mercy and forgiveness, acknowledging ongoing sinfulness and fear of death, and seeking reassurance of salvation through Christ.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun,

Will you forgive the sin I committed at the very start of my life,

 

Which was my sin, though it were done before?

Even though that sin had already been done before me?

 

Wilt thou forgive that sin, through which I run,

Will you forgive that sin which I still keep committing,

 

And do run still, though still I do deplore?

And continue to commit, even though I feel sorry for it?

 

When thou hast done, thou hast not done,

Even if you forgive me, that won’t be all,

 

For I have more.

Because I have more sins to confess.

 

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won

Will you forgive the sin where I caused others to sin,

 

Others to sin, and made my sins their door?

Where my sins became the reason others sinned too?

 

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun

Will you forgive the sin that I avoided

 

A year or two, but wallowed in a score?

For a year or two, but then gave in and sinned repeatedly for many years?

 

When thou hast done, thou hast not done,

Even after forgiving this, it won’t be the end,

 

For I have more.

Because I still have more sins.

 

I have a sin of fear, that when I’ve spun

I have a sin of fear—that when my life is almost over,

 

My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;

That I will die and be lost, unable to reach safety.

 

But swear by thyself, that at my death thy Son

But promise me, by your own name, that when I die, your Son

 

Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;

Will shine on me as He does now and always has,

 

And, having done that, thou hast done;

And once you’ve done that, your forgiveness is complete;

 

I fear no more.

Then I will no longer be afraid.

 

Analysis in Detail

1. Theme of Sin and Forgiveness:

The central focus of the poem is the speaker’s deep awareness of his own sinfulness and his urgent desire for God’s forgiveness. Donne presents sin not just as isolated acts but as a continuous condition—he acknowledges having begun in sin, continuing to sin, and causing others to sin. This ongoing struggle highlights human imperfection and the difficulty of escaping sin entirely. The speaker’s repeated plea for forgiveness emphasizes the Christian belief in God’s mercy and the need for divine grace.

 

2. Structure and Repetition:

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each ending with a similar refrain: “When thou hast done, thou hast not done, / For I have more.” This repetition creates a rhythmic urgency and reflects the speaker’s honest confession that his sins are many and that forgiveness must be continual. The refrain also conveys a sense of humility—recognizing that forgiveness is never final because the speaker’s faults persist.

 

3. The Nature of the Sins:

In the first stanza, the speaker asks forgiveness for the original sin or the sin “where I begun.” This can be interpreted as the sin of human nature inherited from Adam and Eve or early personal sins that set the pattern for a sinful life.

The second stanza introduces the idea of the speaker’s sin affecting others—“which I have won / Others to sin.” This shows a recognition that sin is not only personal but relational, affecting the community. The speaker also admits to sins he tried to avoid but ultimately succumbed to over time, revealing human weakness and inconsistency.

The third stanza shifts slightly from the nature of sin to a more existential fear: the fear of death and what happens afterward. This fear is described as a “sin of fear,” suggesting that lack of trust in God’s salvation is itself a failing.

 

4. Fear and Assurance:

The final stanza moves from confession to a plea for assurance. The speaker asks God to “swear by thyself” that at the moment of death, Jesus will shine upon him as He has before. This is a request for the certainty of salvation and eternal life. The glow of Christ’s light symbolizes grace, forgiveness, and acceptance. Only after receiving this promise can the speaker truly “fear no more.” The resolution shows the speaker’s trust in divine mercy as the ultimate comfort against the fear of death.

 

5. Tone and Mood:

The tone of the poem is penitential and humble but also hopeful. The speaker openly admits his failings without excuses, displaying honesty and vulnerability. At the same time, the repeated requests for forgiveness and the final appeal for divine assurance create a mood of hopefulness and faith that God’s mercy is greater than human sin.

 

6. Use of Literary Devices:

Repetition: The recurring line “When thou hast done, thou hast not done, / For I have more” reinforces the ongoing nature of sin and the need for continual forgiveness.

Metaphor: The “last thread” in the third stanza metaphorically represents the end of life, suggesting the fragility of human existence.

Parallelism: The poem’s three stanzas follow a parallel structure, each stanza focusing on a different kind of sin or struggle, creating a balanced and measured confession.

Alliteration and Assonance: The poem contains subtle sound devices that enhance its musicality and solemn mood.

 

7. Religious Context:

Donne’s poem reflects key Christian doctrines—original sin, the need for repentance, the communal impact of sin, and the assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ. The poem can be read as a personal prayer or a general meditation on human sinfulness and God’s forgiveness.

Overall, A Hymn to God the Father is a profound and intimate expression of penitence, human frailty, and faith in divine mercy, capturing the complexities of a sinner’s heart seeking God’s grace.

 

Possible Exam Questions

Who is the speaker addressing in A Hymn to God the Father?

 

What is the repeated line at the end of the first two stanzas?

 

What does the “last thread” metaphorically represent in the poem?

 

Name one type of sin mentioned in the poem.

 

How does the speaker ask for assurance in the final stanza?

 

Explain the meaning of the line: “When thou hast done, thou hast not done, / For I have more.”

 

What kind of sin does the speaker refer to when he says he has “won / Others to sin”?

 

How does the tone of the poem change in the third stanza?

 

What is the significance of the speaker asking God to “swear by thyself”?

 

Describe how fear is presented as a sin in the poem.

 

Discuss the theme of sin and forgiveness in John Donne’s A Hymn to God the Father.

 

Analyze the use of repetition in the poem and its effect on the overall meaning.

 

How does John Donne portray the human struggle with sin and the desire for salvation in this poem?

 

Explore the significance of the poem’s structure and how it contributes to the speaker’s plea for forgiveness.

 

Examine the religious and spiritual context of A Hymn to God the Father and how it reflects Donne’s beliefs.