WHY HAVE YOU FORGIVEN ME?
©2005 Russell Hicks


(The boy, speaking to God...)

Why have You forgiven me?  I just can't comprehend
How You can still see good in me, with all the blood I've shed!
Sorrow overwhelming has resulted from my guilt.
I owe You all I have; to You I'm debted to the hilt!

How can I e'er repay You for this life to me You've loaned?
The radiance of Your character outshines my very own!
I've hurt You so, and yet You choose to not retaliate;
Love fills You, although my own soul was filled with only hate.

Why have You forgiven me,
This undeserving soul you see?
Great is my own guilt and shame;
But greater is Your mercy and grace!


(The girl, speaking to the boy...)

Dear one, I am quite aware that I am not a saint;
But I forgive you for your sake, lest sorrow make you faint:
I seek to but restore the fellowship that we once had.
I see that you've repented; there's no need to feel so bad!

Listen, my dear one; hear and mark it well:
I love you more deeply than the ocean depths can tell!
The debt that I owe Him is more than yours to me:
And thus I let go of any grudges there be.