'When all Thy Mercies, O My God' by Joseph Addison
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When all Thy mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view, I’m lost
In wonder, love and praise.
Thy Providence my life sustained,
And all my wants redressed,
While in the silent womb I lay,
And hung upon the breast.
To all my weak complaints and cries
Thy mercy lent an ear,
Ere yet my feeble thoughts had learned
To form themselves in prayer.
Unnumbered comforts to my soul
Thy tender care bestowed,
Before my infant heart conceived
From Whom those comforts flowed.
When in the slippery paths of youth
With heedless steps I ran,
Thine arm unseen conveyed me safe,
And led me up to man.
Through hidden dangers, toils, and deaths,
It gently cleared my way;
And through the pleasing snares of vice,
More to be feared than they.
O how shall words with equal warmth
The gratitude declare,
That glows within my ravished heart?
But thou canst read it there.
Thy bounteous hand with worldly bliss
Hath made my cup run o’er;
And, in a kind and faithful Friend,
Hath doubled all my store.
Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
My daily thanks employ;
Nor is the last a cheerful heart
That tastes those gifts with joy.
When worn with sickness, oft hast Thou
With health renewed my face;
And, when in sins and sorrows sunk,
Revived my soul with grace.
Through every period of my life
Thy goodness I’ll pursue
And after death, in distant worlds,
The glorious theme renew.
When nature fails, and day and night
Divide Thy works no more,
My ever grateful heart, O Lord,
Thy mercy shall adore.
Through all eternity to Thee
A joyful song I’ll raise;
For, oh, eternity’s too short
To utter all Thy praise!
Editor 1 Interpretation
When all Thy Mercies, O My God: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Joseph Addison's "When all Thy Mercies, O My God" is a classic poem that has been inspiring readers for centuries. The poem is a hymn of gratitude and thankfulness to God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. It is a perfect example of the art of expressing religious sentiment in poetic form.
Background
Joseph Addison was a poet, essayist, and politician who lived in the 18th century. He was born in Milston, Wiltshire, England, on May 1, 1672, and died on June 17, 1719, in London. Addison was educated at Charterhouse School and Oxford University. He was a prominent literary figure of his time and wrote numerous works, including plays, essays, and poems.
"When all Thy Mercies, O My God" was first published in 1712 in The Spectator, a daily newspaper founded by Addison and his friend Richard Steele. The poem was part of a series of hymns and devotional pieces that appeared in the newspaper. The poem became very popular and was later included in various hymnals and prayer books.
Literary Analysis
The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with rhyming couplets. The use of couplets gives the poem a sense of order and symmetry. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each consisting of eight lines.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem. It begins with the speaker acknowledging God's mercy and expressing his gratitude for it. The speaker recognizes that all the good things in his life come from God's grace.
The second stanza is a reflection on the speaker's past. He recalls his sins and mistakes, and how God forgave him and gave him a fresh start. The speaker marvels at God's mercy and love, which he considers inexhaustible.
The third stanza is a meditation on the present. The speaker acknowledges that life is not always easy, but he finds strength in God's presence. He trusts in God's providence and believes that everything that happens is ultimately for the best.
The fourth stanza is a prayer for the future. The speaker asks God to continue to bless him and guide him. He expresses his hope that he will one day be able to join the company of the saints in heaven.
The poem is full of religious imagery and allusions. The speaker refers to God as "the rock of my salvation" and "the balm of my distress." He also mentions Biblical figures such as David and Noah. The use of such imagery and allusions adds depth and richness to the poem.
Interpretation
The poem is a hymn of thankfulness and gratitude to God. It expresses the speaker's belief that everything good in his life comes from God's mercy and grace. The poem is a reminder that we should always be grateful for the blessings we receive, no matter how small they may seem.
The poem also speaks to the human experience of sin and redemption. The speaker acknowledges his past mistakes and sins but finds comfort in God's forgiveness and love. The poem is a message of hope that no matter how far we may have strayed from God's path, we can always find our way back.
The poem's emphasis on God's providence and sovereignty is a reminder that we are not in control of our lives. The speaker trusts in God's plan and believes that everything that happens is ultimately for the best. This is a message that can be comforting in times of difficulty and uncertainty.
The poem's final stanza is a prayer for the future. The speaker asks God to continue to bless him and guide him. This is a reminder that even when things are going well, we should always seek God's guidance and direction.
Conclusion
"When all Thy Mercies, O My God" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a hymn of gratitude and thankfulness to God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. The poem is a reminder that we should always be grateful for the good things in our lives, no matter how small they may seem. It is also a message of hope that no matter how far we may have strayed from God's path, we can always find our way back. The poem's emphasis on God's providence and sovereignty is a reminder that we are not in control of our lives, but we can trust in God's plan. Ultimately, "When all Thy Mercies, O My God" is a message of faith and hope that continues to inspire readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
When all Thy Mercies, O My God is a classic poem written by Joseph Addison in the 18th century. This poem is a beautiful expression of gratitude and thankfulness towards God for His endless mercies and blessings. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem.
The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging God's mercies and blessings in his life. He says, "When all thy mercies, O my God, my rising soul surveys, transported with the view, I'm lost in wonder, love, and praise." The speaker is overwhelmed with gratitude and awe as he reflects on the many blessings that God has bestowed upon him. He is filled with wonder, love, and praise for God's goodness.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a hymn of praise to God. The speaker goes on to list some of the specific mercies that God has shown him, such as "the morning light, the health, the food, the joy." He recognizes that all of these blessings come from God and that he is undeserving of them. He says, "Thy goodness, like a fetter, binds my wandering heart to thee."
The second stanza of the poem focuses on God's mercy and forgiveness. The speaker acknowledges that he has sinned and fallen short of God's glory, but he is grateful that God is merciful and forgiving. He says, "Unnumbered comforts to my soul thy tender care bestowed, before my infant heart conceived from whom those comforts flowed." The speaker recognizes that God has been with him from the beginning of his life, providing comfort and care even before he was aware of it.
The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the brevity of life and the hope of eternal life. The speaker acknowledges that life is short and fleeting, but he is comforted by the hope of eternal life with God. He says, "When in the slippery paths of youth with heedless steps I ran, thine arm, unseen, conveyed me safe, and led me up to man." The speaker recognizes that God has been with him throughout his life, guiding and protecting him.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem is a hymn of praise to God for His mercy and goodness. The speaker says, "Through every period of my life thy goodness I'll pursue, and after death, in distant worlds, the glorious theme renew." The speaker is committed to praising God for His mercy and goodness for the rest of his life and beyond.
The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. This simple structure allows the poem to flow smoothly and emphasizes the message of gratitude and praise.
The poem also makes use of several literary devices. One of the most prominent devices is repetition. The phrase "When all thy mercies, O my God" is repeated at the beginning of each stanza, emphasizing the central theme of the poem. The repetition of the phrase "thy goodness" also emphasizes the speaker's gratitude for God's blessings.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. The speaker uses vivid imagery to describe God's mercies and blessings. For example, he describes God's goodness as a "fetter" that binds his heart to God. This image conveys the idea that the speaker is bound to God by his gratitude and love.
In conclusion, When all Thy Mercies, O My God is a beautiful expression of gratitude and praise to God for His endless mercies and blessings. The poem's simple structure and use of literary devices emphasize the message of gratitude and praise. The speaker's reflection on God's mercy, forgiveness, and guidance throughout his life is a reminder of the importance of gratitude and the hope of eternal life with God. This poem is a timeless reminder of the goodness of God and the importance of giving thanks for His blessings.
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