Forgive Them, O My Father

Forgive them

O my Fa­ther

They know not what they do.

The Sav­ior spoke in ang­uish

As sharp ir­on nails went through.

No word of an­ger spoke He

To them that shed His blood

But pray­er and ten­der­est pi­ty

Large as the love of God.

For me was that com­pass­ion

For me that ten­der care;

I need His wide for­give­ness

As much as any there.

It was my pride and hard­ness

That hung Him on the tree;

Those cru­el nails

O Sav­ior

Were driv­en in by me.

And oft­en I have slight­ed

Thy gen­tle voice that said:

Forgive me too

Lord Je­sus

I knew not what I did.

O depth of sweet com­pass­ion!

O love di­vine and true!

Save Thou the souls that slight Thee

And know not what they do.