ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // Though we perceive God’s mercy as limiting [and it sometimes appears in Scripture Jesus sets a temporary limit to His mercy], this stanza tells us God’s mercy has no boundaries. Our sorrow and failings are met with mercy - undeserved forgiveness.

Stanza 2 // The mercy of God welcomes sinners [as Christ “welcomed sinners and ate with them]. We see this mercy in the blood of Christ, who died while we were “still sinners” as St. Paul says.

Stanza 3 // While this hymn has much to say about God’s mercy, we sing in this stanza of our reaction to the undeserved forgiveness Christ gives. Criticism of the Church’s “strictness”, unwillingenss to change, and manipulation of the mercy God gives may often be warranted, but the good news of this stanza is sung at the conclusion. God owns none of the limits we place on His mercy and love.

Stanza 4 // At first, this stanza can sound like we “owe” God something back for the great mercy bestowed on us as Christian people. But, it is helpful to hear and sing these words as the result of mercy - we can give [or repeat] to Christ [and others] only what He has first given us:  “Greater good [and] larger mercy.” Because of evil [or sin] Christ gives us the goodness and mercy of God! Our lives are lived in thanksgiving when we take our Lord at His Word of mercy:  “You are forgiven.”

SUGGESTIONS:

• ELW 587/588 -  There’s a Wideness In God’s Mercy - ꜱᴛ. ʜᴇʟᴇɴᴀ // ʟᴏʀᴅ, ʀᴇᴠɪᴠᴇ ᴜꜱ
• LBW 303 - When in the Hour of Deepest Need - ᴡᴇɴɴ ᴡɪʀ ɪɴ ʜöᴄʜꜱᴛᴇɴ ɴöᴛᴇɴ ꜱᴇɪɴ
• LBW 310 - To You, Omniscient Lord of All - ᴠᴀᴛᴇʀ ᴜɴꜱᴇʀ
• ELW 434 - Jesus Shall Reign - ᴅᴜᴋᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴇᴇᴛ
• ELW 517 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word - ᴇʀʜᴀʟᴛ ᴜɴꜱ, ʜᴇʀʀ