Davids Hainous Sinne, Heartie Repentance, Heavie Punishment.

Thomas Fuller was one of England’s most prolific authors, publishing works of history, theology and poetry during his lifetime. As well as an encyclopedia of England’s noble families, he wrote a history of the Crusades, a history of the Church of England, and several volumes’ worth of sermons. In 1631, Fuller composed and shared “Davids Hainous Sinne,” a lyric retelling of David’s seduction of Bathsheba in 2 Samuel. The poem contains three movements, the first recounting David’s sins of adultery and murder, the second narrating David’s repentance, and the last telling how God punished David for his crimes. At Trinity College, Cambridge, “Davids Hainous Sinne” earned him the reputation of an accomplished wordsmith.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff