A beautiful, sacred hymn with music by Kevin G. Pace and text by Mark R. Fotheringham. This hymn text is a tender meditation on the nature of divine mercy and the redemptive mission of Jesus Christ. It opens by portraying God as a gentle and patient Father who lovingly teaches and guides His children, nurturing their growth and waiting faithfully for their return when they stray. The second stanza shifts focus to the Savior, highlighting His role as the promised Messiah who exemplifies divine compassion through both word and deed. The imagery of His voice likened to the cooing of a dove evokes a sense of peace and gentle calling. The third stanza reflects on Christ's atoning sacrifice, emphasizing His willingness to suffer for humanity's sins and His provision of a path back to a life of abundance and spiritual fulfillment. The final stanza reiterates the Father's enduring love and guidance, bringing the hymn full circle to its initial theme of divine gentleness and the transformative power of faith.

YouTube video: A Merciful Father

Text:
A merciful Father is gentle and mild.
He teaches His fam'ly. He loves each child.
He helps them to thrive by the light he has learned,
And he guides them when knowledge must be earned,
Waits in faith as a straying heart is turned.

Our Father in Heaven has sent us His Son,
The promised Messiah, His Holy One.
To teach by example, with words filled with love,
And compassion He learned from up above.
Hear His call as the cooing of a dove.

The Savior would suffer, for sins not His own.
To help us recover, He would atone.
Wherever we stray or how far we may roam,
He has paved us a highway leading home,
To a life filled with milk and honeycomb.

Our Merciful Father is gentle and mild.
He teaches His fam'ly. He loves each child.
He helps them to thrive by the light He has learned,
And He guides them when knowledge must be earned,
Waits in faith as each straying heart is turned.