Olney Hymns (1840)/Book 1/Hymn 98

98.
The Two Debtors.—Luke, vii, 47.

1 Once a woman silent stood
While Jesus sat at meat;
From her eyes she pour'd a flood,
To wash his sacred feet:
Shame and wonder, joy and love,
All at once possess'd her mind,
That she e'er so vile could prove,
Yet now forgiveness find.

2 "How came this vile woman here?
Will Jesus notice such?
Sure, if he a prophet were,
He would disdain her touch!"
Simon thus, with scornful heart,
Slighted one whom Jesus loved;
But her Saviour took her part,
And thus his pride reproved:

3 "If two men in debt were bound,
One less, the other more,
Fifty, or five hundred pound,
And both alike were poor;
Should the lender both forgive
When he saw them both distress'd,
Which of them would you believe
Engaged to love him best?

4 "Surely he who most did owe,"
The Pharisee replied:
Then our Lord, "By judging so,
Thou dost for her decide:
Simon, if like her you knew
How much you forgiveness need,
You like her had acted too,
And welcomed me indeed.

5 "When the load of sin is felt,
And much forgiveness known
Then the heart of course will melt,
Though hard before as stone:
Blame not then her love and tears,
Greatly she in debt has been;
But I have removed her fears,
And pardon'd all her sin."

6 When I read this woman's case,
Her love and humble zeal,
I confess, with shame of face,
My heart is made of steel.
Much has been forgiven to me,
Jesus paid my heavy score;
What a creature must I be,
That I can love no more!