# Song-Sermon: Mercy to Thee, O Lord, Belongs explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by George MacDonald.

## What happens

A poetic meditation on divine mercy, acknowledging that all wrongs originate from humanity rather than God, who administers justice and healing through suffering.

## Themes in this chapter

### Redemption and Grace

The central theme of mercy belonging to God, who redeems human failings through his work and judgment.

### Suffering and Purification

Imagery of whips and scorpion thongs suggests suffering as a divine tool to cleanse and correct.

## Character check-ins

### God

Addressed as the Lord to whom mercy belongs, who gives work to man and lays bans on ills.

### Unknown

The speaker who confesses human wrongdoing and appeals to divine mercy.

## Key lines

> Mercy to thee, O Lord, belongs, For as his work thou giv’st the man.

Lord, mercy is yours to give, for you assign each person their labor as part of your design.

_Establishes God's sovereignty and the gift of purposeful work._

> With small-cord whips and scorpion thongs Thou lay’st on every ill thy ban.

You place a curse on every evil using instruments of punishment.

_Depicts divine judgment as both corrective and merciful._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/song-sermon-mercy-to-thee-o-lord-belongs
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters