Commentary

We have all been through life experiences without appreciating their meaning. Understanding may follow later, but at the time we tend to just rush headlong to the next event. Sometimes there could never be any possibility of immediate comprehension; a child suffering an early bereavement, say, or a difficult relationship. Most of us can also recall situations which we accepted at the time, but which we came to realise later were burdens we did not have to bear - we might perhaps call it labouring under a misapprehension.

In this poem. Herbert is saying that God has ordered creation to grab our attention and bring about a true understanding, not by a thunderbolt or vision but by the brilliance of the stars. They reflect light, a metaphor which can speak to our deepest selves, our value system, our innermost being. They tell us something of God’s nature. For Herbert, even though God was up in heaven and we are down on earth, it doesn’t mean the two cannot be in communion. We might well ask ourselves to what extent Herbert’s world view is relevant to our circumstances today.

So the poem is about seeing things as they really are; getting a settled perception of ourselves, our place in the world, our relationships, capabilities and ambitions. This is surely a form of wisdom that comes with age and experience. Many of us get at least most of the way at a young age, perhaps through good parenting, natural gifting or sound education. Sadly, there are some who never manage to achieve it.

The conclusion of the poem brings a pessimistic note - ‘in this wretched world we toil’. In other words, our failure to see things correctly causes hardship and struggle. But the poem's ovreall message is optimistic. It is saying that, despite everything, God has provided a solution. There is light, the stars shine. There is indeed a way of true perception.

Eight lines drilled and organised to perfection, and not a spare syllable. Why add extra when there is more than enough there to satisfy the most academic analysts?