Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Secular or Eclectic Christian 18th Century	About William Blake Timeline (1757 - 1827)
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Original Language English	The Divine Image
Commentary by Ivan M. Granger Themes   Bliss   Heart   Lover and Beloved       Recommended Books Blake Dictionary: The Ideas & Symbols of William Blake, by S. Foster Damon Blake: Collected Poems, by William Blake / Edited by William Butler Yeats Blake's America: A Prophecy and Europe: A Prophecy: Facsimile Reproductions of Two Illuminated Books, by William Blake Blake's Poetry and Designs: Authoritative Texts, Illuminations in Color and Monochrome, Related Prose, Criticism, by William Blake / Edited by John F. Grant The Book of Urizen: A Facsimily in Full Color, by William Blake More >>	To Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love All pray in their distress; And to these virtues of delight Return their thankfulness. For Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love Is God, our Father dear, And Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love Is man, His child and care. For Mercy has a human heart, Pity a human face, And Love, the human form divine, And Peace, the human dress. Then every man, of every clime, That prays in his distress, Prays to the human form divine, Love, Mercy, Pity and Peace. And all must love the human form, In heathen, Turk or Jew; Where Mercy, Love, and Pity dwell There God is dwelling too.     -- from Music of the Sky: An Anthology of Spiritual Poetry, Edited by Patrick Laude / Edited by Barry McDonald Amazon.com
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

If you're like I am, you probably cringed at that line in the final stanza referring to "heathen, Turk or Jew." The phrase sounds disparaging taken out of context. But reread what Blake is actually saying: He is using the common prejudice of the day, that white British Christians are superior to heathens, Turks and Jews, and he turns it on its head. He declares that "Where Mercy, Love, and Pity dwell / There God is dwelling too."

In other words, Blake is offering a truly universal vision of God that transcends religious, racial, and cultural boundaries. God isn't limited to specific dogmas. God doesn't favor one skin color or one national flag over another. God dwells where the human heart in fruition has made a home for "Love, Mercy, Pity, and Peace."

If more poems like this were read, think how different the world would be.

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2008 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.