Verse 1
With mercy’s quickest eyes
His wretched son He sees,
The prodigal far off espies,
And pities his distress:
At sight of human woe
His yearning bowels move,
The Father swiftly runs to show
His warm, paternal love.
Verse 2
A late-returning child
His mercy’s arms embrace,
His lips declare him reconcil’d,
His lips distilling grace:
The kiss dispels his fears,
With balmy words applied,
The self-condemning sinner chears,
And seals him justified.
Verse 3
Not one upbraiding word
The pardon’d sinner grieves:
In mercy rich, his heavenly Lord
Forgets when he forgives:
He hears his heart’s desire,
Preventing his request,
And recent from the swine and mire
Receives him to his breast.