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Poetry · Chapter

Equity explained

The poem asserts that true harmony in creation and in the human heart depends on divine equity.

What happens

The poem asserts that true harmony in creation and in the human heart depends on divine equity. It encourages a wronged heart to forgive, promising that God will restore its rights in love.

Themes in this chapter

  • Redemption and Grace

    The poem promises that after forgiveness, God will restore the heart's rights in love, reflecting redemption through grace.

  • Love as Ultimate Strength

    Divine love is presented as the force that restores and vindicates the wronged heart.

Characters to notice

  • God

    The Lord is depicted as throned in equity, holding the righteous balance and ensuring justice.

  • Unknown

    The speaker addresses the heart directly, offering counsel to forgive and trust in divine restoration.

Key passages

  • No bird can sing in tune but that the Lord Sits throned in equity above the heaven, And holds the righteous balance always even

    No bird can sing perfectly unless the Lord, enthroned in perfect justice above heaven, always maintains the righteous balance.

    Establishes the foundational metaphor that all harmony depends on divine equity.

  • Take courage: when thy wrongs thou hast forgiven, Thy rights in love thy God will see restored

    Be brave: once you have forgiven the wrongs done to you, God will ensure that your rights are restored through love.

    Central exhortation to forgive and trust in God's restorative justice.