Poem Analysis: "Denial" by George Herbert

In the poem "Denial" by George Herbert, music and song is used as a metaphor for the speaker's relationship with God. As his communication, his song, to God goes unanswered, the song falters. Feeling that God does not hear him, he says "Then was my heart broken, as was my verse"("Denial" 3), and "My bent thoughts, like a brittle bow,/ Did fly asunder:" ("Denial" 6-7). The tools essential to his song falter as his faith in God does the same. After numerous failed prayers and appeals to God, he calls himself "Untuned, unstrung" ("Denial" 22). Having been let down time and time again, he is no longer prepared to play his song, no longer prepared to believe. In the final line of the poem, he calls upon God to answer him and restore the music that is representative of his faith with the plea "mend my rhyme"("Denial" 30). The comparison of well tuned harmony in music to harmony with God highlights the frustration of blind faith.