--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God, My…" description: "\"Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God, My soul flies through these wounds to seek out thee.\" — William Shakespeare" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/william-shakespeare-4_compassion_open-thy-gate-of-mercy-gracious-god-my-s_2136809.jpg" --- # Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God, My soul flies… ![“Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God, My soul flies through these wounds to seek out thee.” quote by William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/william-shakespeare-4_compassion_open-thy-gate-of-mercy-gracious-god-my-s_2136809.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/william-shakespeare-4_compassion_open-thy-gate-of-mercy-gracious-god-my-s_2136809.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/william-shakespeare-4_compassion_open-thy-gate-of-mercy-gracious-god-my-s_2136809.jpg) > “Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God, My soul flies through these wounds to seek out thee.” [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A plea for divine mercy, seeking spiritual healing through suffering and devotion. **In simple terms:** Ask God for mercy amid pain. Key Takeaway Seek spiritual solace in hardship. Themes faith redemption suffering Mood contemplative poetic Type literary spiritual When to use this quote - personal prayer - confessional writing - counseling sessions Key Concepts theology poetry Questions to Reflect On - How does suffering shape your faith? - What actions accompany your prayers for mercy? A Different Perspective Relying solely on divine aid may neglect practical solutions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Mercy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mercy/) [Mercy of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mercy-of-god/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Wounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wounds/) ## Related quotes > [“We knock a time or two at the gate of mercy, and as no friendly messenger opens the door, we go our ways. Too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/we-knock-a-time-or-two-at-the-gate-of-mercy-and-as-no-friendly/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [Bestow upon me, O Lord my God, understanding to know thee, diligence to seek thee, wisdom to find thee, and a faithfulness that may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/bestow-upon-me-o-lord-my-god-understanding-to-know-thee-diligence-to/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [Part of my soul I seek thee, and claim thee my other half](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/part-of-my-soul-i-seek-thee-and-claim-thee-my-other-half/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Thou art gone from my gaze like a beautiful dream. And I seek thee in vain by the meadow and stream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-linley/thou-art-gone-from-my-gaze-like-a-beautiful-dream-and-i-seek-thee-in/) [George Linley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-linley/) > [The quality of mercy is not strained](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/the-quality-of-mercy-is-not-strained/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [We do pray for mercy, and that same prayer doth teach us all to render the deeds of mercy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/we-do-pray-for-mercy-and-that-same-prayer-doth-teach-us-all-to-render/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Though justice be thy plea consider this, that in the course of justice none of us should see salvation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/though-justice-be-thy-plea-consider-this-that-in-the-course-of/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [The quality of mercy is not strain'd, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest; It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/the-quality-of-mercy-is-not-strain-d-it-droppeth-as-the-gentle-rain/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Be as just and gracious unto me, As I am confident and kind to thee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/be-as-just-and-gracious-unto-me-as-i-am-confident-and-kind-to-thee/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [So may the outward shows be least themselves: The world is still deceived with ornament. In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt, But,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/so-may-the-outward-shows-be-least-themselves-the-world-is-still-2/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/good-morning-to-you-fair-and-gracious-daughter/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Virtuous and fair, royal and gracious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/virtuous-and-fair-royal-and-gracious/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Grief fills the room up of my absent child, Lies in his bed, walks up and down with me, Puts on his pretty look,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/grief-fills-the-room-up-of-my-absent-child-lies-in-his-bed-walks-up/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Abate the edge of traitors, gracious Lord, That would reduce these bloody days again And make poor England weep in streams of blood! Let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/abate-the-edge-of-traitors-gracious-lord-that-would-reduce-these/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [In law, what plea so tainted and corrupts, but being seasoned with a gracious voice obscures the show of evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/in-law-what-plea-so-tainted-and-corrupts-but-being-seasoned-with-a/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) ## More by William Shakespeare > [Let us kill all lawyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/let-us-kill-all-lawyers/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [O tiger's heart wrapped in a woman's hide!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/o-tiger-s-heart-wrapped-in-a-woman-s-hide/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Divers philosophers hold that the lips is parcel of the mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/divers-philosophers-hold-that-the-lips-is-parcel-of-the-mouth/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Short time seems long in sorrow's sharp sustaining.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/short-time-seems-long-in-sorrow-s-sharp-sustaining/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs; Being purg'd, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes; Being vex'd, a sea nourish'd with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/love-is-a-smoke-made-with-the-fume-of-sighs-being-purg-d-a-fire/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I, measuring his affections by my own, Which then most sought where most might not be found, Being one too many by my weary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-measuring-his-affections-by-my-own-which-then-most-sought-where/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Ask God for temp'rance. That's th' appliance only Which your disease requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/ask-god-for-temp-rance-that-s-th-appliance-only-which-your-disease/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies Which busy care draws in the brains of men; Therefore thou sleep’st so sound. Julius Caesar (2.1.248-251)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/thou-hast-no-figures-nor-no-fantasies-which-busy-care-draws-in-the/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Truth needs no color; beauty, no pencil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/truth-needs-no-color-beauty-no-pencil/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Have you not heard it said full oft, A woman's nay doth stand for naught?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/have-you-not-heard-it-said-full-oft-a-woman-s-nay-doth-stand-for/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Omittance is no quittance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/omittance-is-no-quittance/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Yes, madam: yet I cannot choose but laugh, To think it should leave crying and say 'Ay.' And yet, I warrant, it had upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/yes-madam-yet-i-cannot-choose-but-laugh-to-think-it-should-leave/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I take thee at thy word: Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized; Henceforth I never will be Romeo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-take-thee-at-thy-word-call-me-but-love-and-i-ll-be-new-baptized/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) [Explore all 5,604 William Shakespeare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) ## More Compassion quotes > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-fight-with-love-and-kindness-as-my-weapons-and-compassion-as-my/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“If you refuse to use physical force, then you will be at the mercy of your oppressor!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segun-magbagbeola/if-you-refuse-to-use-physical-force-then-you-will-be-at-the-mercy-of/) Segun Magbagbeola > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Helpers in every corner, helpers in every hood. That's how we'll make the move, to reform from rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/helpers-in-every-corner-helpers-in-every-hood-that-s-how-we-ll-make/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. (Madoc) You’d better be glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/may-the-gods-have-mercy-on-whoever-pisses-them-off-because-zarek-and/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [But victimhood was seductive, a release from responsibility and caring. Fear would be transmuted into weary resignation; failure would no longer generate guilt but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-victimhood-was-seductive-a-release-from-responsibility-and-caring/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“la ilaha ilallah muhammadun rasulullah, alaihi salatullah wa alihi wal ahibba "shine your mercy like the sun, and be gracious as the earth let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-al-habib/la-ilaha-ilallah-muhammadun-rasulullah-alaihi-salatullah-wa-alihi-wal/) Talib al Habib > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) [Browse all 9,892 Compassion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God, My soul flies through these wounds to seek out thee.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William Shakespeare" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/open-thy-gate-of-mercy-gracious-god-my-soul-flies-through-these/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compassion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/open-thy-gate-of-mercy-gracious-god-my-soul-flies-through-these/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/william-shakespeare-4_compassion_open-thy-gate-of-mercy-gracious-god-my-s_2136809.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/william-shakespeare-4_compassion_open-thy-gate-of-mercy-gracious-god-my-s_2136809.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/william-shakespeare-4_compassion_open-thy-gate-of-mercy-gracious-god-my-s_2136809.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God, My soul flies through these wounds to seek out thee.” — William Shakespeare", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "William Shakespeare", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Open thy gate of mercy, gracious...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/open-thy-gate-of-mercy-gracious-god-my-soul-flies-through-these/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/open-thy-gate-of-mercy-gracious-god-my-soul-flies-through-these/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```