12 Forgiveness Poems

Let these short forgiveness poems remind you of the importance of forgiving others, not only for their sake but for yourself. In most cases, you bring more harm to yourself by not forgiving. Let these poems encourage you to forgive.

Short Poems & Quotes    /   Inspirational Poems    /   Forgiveness Poems

  1. Forgive Others
    Poet: Catherine Pulsifer


    Even though you may be mad
    Even though you feel sad
    And you may be hurt
    Feelings of being thrown dirt.

    But you hurt yourself more
    When you don't forgive and close the door
    Let it go, don't despair
    Forgive others and clear the air.

    Be the first to forgive others
    We are all truly brothers.
    Forgiveness lightens your load
    Always take the high road.



  2. Forgive
    Poet: John Greenleaf Whittier


    Forgive, O Lord, our severing ways,
    The rival altars that we raise,
    The wrangling tongues that mar thy praise!
    Thy grace impart! In time to be
    Shall one great temple rise to Thee—

    Thy Church our broad humanity.
    White flowers of love its wall shall climb.
    Soft bells of peace shall ring its chime.
    Its days shall all be holy time.
    A sweeter song shall then be heard.
    Confessing, in a world’s accord.

    The inward Christ, the living Word.
    That song shall swell from shore to shore.
    One hope, one faith, one love restore
    The seamless robe that Jesus wore.



  3. The Art of Forgiveness
    by Wilferd Peterson


    The art of forgiveness begins when you forgive someone.

    It is having a humble spirit and being done with pride and self-pity.
    It is taking a step toward the practice of forgiveness. Hate is death, forgiveness is life.

    Forgiveness works the miracle of change.
    When Lincoln was asked why he did not destroy his enemies he replied: "If I make my enemies my friends, don't I then destroy them?"
    When you forgive you change others and you change yourself. You change discord to harmony.

    Forgiveness should span the years.
    You should first forgive yourself for the wrongs you've done to yourself and others, for the mistakes you've made.
    Then you should forgive and bless all those who have wronged you during your lifetime.
    Thus you release others and you release yourself. You break the chains of regret and remorse that bind you.
    You free your mind from the burdens of the past so you may walk victoriously into the future.

    Forgiveness works two ways.
    You must forgive to be forgiven.
    "He who cannot forgive others," wrote Edward Herbert, "breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass; for every man has the need to be forgiven."

    Forgiveness should become a habit.
    When the Master was asked how often we should forgive, he answered:
    "Until seventy time seven." He who forgives to infinity will never hate.

    Forgiveness should start now.
    Putting off forgiving only deepens the wound. Clinging to bitterness postpones happiness.
    Life is short, time is fleeting. Today is the day to forgive.

    Forgiveness is the way to personal peace.
    It is performing mental surgery on yourself, probing deep within to remove hurts, grudges, and resentments.
    It is forgetting wrongs as though they had never been. It is flooding your mind with the powerful medicine of forgiveness that cleanses and heals.
    It is discovering a serenity you've never known before.



  4. The art of forgiveness begins when you forgive someone.


  5. Steer Clear Of Conflict
    Poet: Catherine Pulsifer


    In the world of pain, forgiveness finds its place,
    A noble journey unfolds, led by honor's grace.
    Steer clear of conflict and despair,
    Seek the tranquility that life can share.

    Let grudges dissipate, dissolve away,
    Anger breeds bringing sorrow and decay.
    Embracing wide hearts, we offer peace its due,
    Discover in forgiveness a dance where tranquility brews.



  6. Forgive
    Poet: Lillian E. Curtis


    Forgive! nor number the times two, nor yet eleven.
    Forgive! forgive even seventy times seven;
    Too much! Oh, too much, do I hear you say,
    As in prayer you bow the reverent head?
    Then every harsh thought, Oh, cast away,
    "Seventy times seven" the Saviour said.
    And mildly he looketh down from Heaven,
    And sayeth forgive, nor malice nor envy keep,
    Forgive as you hope to be forgiven.
    And how sweet will be your sleep!
    We owe a debt which increases as long as we live,
    As we would be forgiven, so let us forgive.



  7. Forgiveness
    Poet: Unknown


    O God, forgive the years and years
    Of worldly pride and hopes and fears;
    Forgive, and blot them from thy book,
    The sins on which I mourn to look.

    Forgive the lack of service done
    For thee, thro' life, from life begun;
    Forgive the vain desires to be
    All else but that desired by thee.

    Forgive the love of human praise,
    The first false step in crooked ways,
    The choice of evil and the night,
    The heart close shut against the light.

    Forgive the love that could endure
    No cost to bless the sad and poor;
    Forgive, and give me grace to see
    The life laid down in love for me.



  8. The Time To Forgive And Forget
    Poet: S. E. Gordon


    Forgive and forget! 'Tis a maxim worth heeding,
    Recall the harsh judgment so hasty and stern;
    Not one of us all but is certainly needing
    Some friendly forbearance and grace in return.

    Unkindness and malice are weeds that grow thickly,
    But patience and love may transform them to flowers;
    Remember our journey is over too quickly
    To waste on ill-feeling a tithe of its hours.

    Forgive and forget! Let the bitter thought perish,
    Life does not lack sorrow more weighty, more real;
    And in the sharp sting of resentment, why cherish
    The thorn that must rankle where pardon might heal?

    Forgive and forget! For we know not how often
    'Twill spare us the pang of an endless regret.
    Don't wait for the future your anger to soften,
    Oh, now is the time to forgive and forget.



  9. Forgive and forget! For we know not how often 'Twill spare us the pang of an endless regret.


  10. Forgive And Forget
    Poet: Charles Swain


    Forgive and forget! Why, the world would be lonely,
    The garden a wilderness left to deform,
    If the flowers but remembered the chilling winds only,
    And the fields gave no verdure for fear of the storm.
    Oh, still in thy loveliness emblem the flower,
    Give the fragrance of feeling to sweeten life's way;
    And prolong not again the brief cloud of an hour,
    With tears that but darken the rest of the day!

    Forgive and forget! there's no breast so unfeeling
    But some gentle thoughts of affection there live;
    And the best of us all require something concealing,
    Some heart that with smiles can forget and forgive.
    Then, away with the cloud from those beautiful eyes;
    That brow was no home for such frowns to have met;
    Oh! how could our spirits e'er hope for the skies,
    If Heaven refused to forgive and forget?



  11. Reward
    Poet: David V. Bush


    What if your plans have fallen through,
    And you have lost the fight?
    Work on the while, look up and smile -
    The day comes after night!

    What if the one you thought you loved
    Has torn your heart in two?
    A dearer friend that heart shall mend;
    Love yet will come to you!

    What if someone whom you have helped
    Proves faithless in the end?
    Your greater heart will bear the smart,
    And sweet forgiveness lend!

    Suppose ingratitude has struck
    With serpent's deadly guile?
    Don't stoop to vow with vengeful brow,
    But pause, forgive and smile!



  12. Forgiveness
    Poet: Unknown


    O God, forgive the years and years
    Of worldly pride and hopes and fears;
    Forgive, and blot them from thy book,
    The sins on which I mourn to look.
    Forgive the lack of service done
    For thee, thro' life, from life begun;
    Forgive the vain desires to be
    All else but that desired by thee.
    Forgive the love of human praise,
    The first false step in crooked ways,
    The choice of evil and the night,
    The heart close shut against the light.
    Forgive the love that could endure
    No cost to bless the sad and poor;
    Forgive, and give me grace to see
    The life laid down in love for me.



  13. Forgive Me
    Poet: Unknown


    If I should die tonight.
    Even hearts estranged would turn once more to me.
    Recalling other days remorsefully;
    The eyes that chill me with averted glance.
    Would look upon me as of yore, perchance,
    And soften in the old familiar way,
    For who would war with dumb unconscious clay?

    So I might rest, of all forgiven tonight.
    O friends! I pray to-night
    Keep not your kisses for my dead, cold brow;
    The way is lonely, let me feel them now;
    Think gently of me; I am travel-worn;
    My faltering feet are pierced with many a thorn;
    Forgive! O hearts estranged, forgive I plead!
    When dreamless rest is mine I shall not need
    The tenderness for which I long tonight.



  14. Forgiveness In God's Mercy
    Poet: Catherine Pulsifer


    In God's mercy forgiveness resides,
    A balm for all wounds, where love abides.
    Let not resentment burden our souls,
    For kindness and forgiveness make us whole.

    In this divine grace, let us find peace,
    And from our hearts, let anger release.
    For as we forgive, so shall we be,
    United in love, forever set free.



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We hope these poems about forgiveness encourage you to forgive others for any wrongdoings they have done. Forgiveness brings a peace to you, rather than holding a grudge and harboring anger which in the end only hurts yourself, it is always better to forgive.

We should remember Colossians 3:13:
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

None of us are perfect and there will be times in our lives that we need to be forgiven. If you don't forgive, how can you expect others to forgive you when you mess up?



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