Poetry Explication of LOVE III

Poetry Explication: George Herbert’s Love (III)
“Whoever does not love, does not know God, because God is love,”(I John 4:8 NIV). George Herbert used this bible verse in his poem as a basis to establish the idea that God is love. Herbert, in the poem published in 1633 “Love III,” presents the concept of God’s love for all mankind, and His grace to those who accept Him. The poem in whole represents man’s relationship with God, however George Herbert focuses on the general theme which is God being love encompassing His unsurpassing grace.
Herbert begins the poem with the concept of the corruption of man, the idea that man is unworthy of God’s favor and merit because he has no goodness in himself from birth or “my first entrance in”. But God through divine election shows how He is love with presenting the concept of grace by extending kindness and compassi...