The Two Debtors

Verse 1

Once a woman silent stood While Jesus sat at meat; From her eyes she poured a flood, To wash his sacred feet: Shame and wonder, joy and love, All at once possessed her mind, That she e'er so vile could prove, Yet now forgiveness find.

Verse 2

"How came this vile woman here? Will Jesus notice such? Sure, if he a prophet were, He would disdain her touch!" Simon thus, with scornful heart, Slighted one whom Jesus loved, But her Savior took her part, And thus his pride reproved.

Verse 3

"If two men in debt were bound, One less, the other more; Fifty, or five hundred pound, And both alike were poor; Should the lender both forgive, When he saw them both distressed; Which of them would you believe, Engaged to love him best?"

Verse 4

"Surely he who much did owe," The Pharisee replied; Then our Lord, "By judging so, Thou dost for her decide: Simon, if like her you knew, How much you forgiveness need; You like her had acted too, And welcomed me indeed!

Verse 5

"When the load of sin is felt, And much forgiveness known; Then the heart of course will melt, Though hard before as stone: Blame not then, her love and tears, Greatly she in debt has been: But I have removed her fears, And pardoned all her sin."

Verse 6

When I read this woman's case, Her love and humble zeal; I confess, with shame of face, My heart is made of steel; Much has been forgiven to me, Jesus paid my heavy score, What a creature must I be, That I can love no more!