13 Forgiveness Poems
Find peace and healing through heartfelt forgiveness poems that inspire letting go.
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Forgiveness Poems
Updated January 31, 2025, by Catherine Pulsifer
Forgiveness isn’t just a gift you give to others—it’s a gift you give yourself. Holding onto anger only weighs you down, while forgiveness sets you free. These poems are a reminder that forgiving doesn’t mean you forget or excuse the pain, but it helps you release what no longer serves you. Whether you’re struggling to let go or seeking the strength to forgive, let these verses encourage you to take that step toward peace, healing, and a heart filled with love.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Read the complete poem, The Art of Forgiveness
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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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Forgiven, Forgotten
Poet: Jason Kirk Bartley
Forgiven, forgotten,
Cast as far as the east is from the west.
My vows taken seriously,
I vow to do my best.
Forgiven, forgotten,
Your grace secures it all.
You lift me upon your shoulders,
Carry me if I should fall.
Forgiven, forgotten,
My burdens cast on thee,
How I long to be with my creator,
for all eternity.
Forgiven, forgotten,
God remembers it no more.
Now we’ll meet,
His love so sweet,
upon that Heavenly Eastern shore.
Forgiven, forgotten,
He walks along our way,
To give us joy,
And give us peace,
He answers when we pray.
Forgiven, forgotten,
He sees the heart of men,
He knew before He created,
That we’d fall so far into sin.
Forgiven, forgotten,
He lives for us each day.
Our one and only Savior,
Who came and made our way.
Forgiven, forgotten,
God just sees His Son,
the one who came and took
the blame for each and everyone.
Related Pages:
Forgiveness Quotes - Pair these forgiveness poems with quotes that reflect the power of letting go and embracing peace, creating a well-rounded reminder of the freedom that forgiveness brings."
Christian Poems - Forgiveness is deeply rooted in faith, and these Christian poems highlight how God’s grace can lead us to forgive others just as we have been forgiven
Poems About Conflict - Where conflict resides, forgiveness has the power to restore harmony—let these poems guide you in resolving conflict with grace and compassion.
Poems About Anger - Anger may seem overwhelming, but forgiveness is the remedy that soothes the soul—these poems show you how to release resentment
Poems About God's Grace - God’s grace teaches us to forgive as we have been forgiven, and these poems about grace remind us of His unconditional love and mercy.
Forgive Me Poems - These forgiveness poems go hand in hand with poems asking for forgiveness, showing that seeking and offering forgiveness are equally powerful."
Blame Quotes - When we stop assigning blame and start forgiving, we lift a heavy burden—these forgiveness poems and quotes show the path to healing.
Christian Poems Of Encouragement - Let these forgiveness poems inspire you alongside Christian poems of encouragement, reminding you that forgiveness is a step toward renewal and hope.
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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