 |
Poetry and Praise |
Selection of Christian Poetry
by Various Authors
| Holy Bible, Book Divine |
Holy Bible, book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine;
Mine to tell me whence I came;
Mine to teach me what I am.
Mine to chide me when I rove,
Mine to show a Saviour's love;
Mine art thou to guide my feet,
Mine to judge, condemn, acquit.
Mine to comfort in distress,
If the Holy Spirit bless;
Mine to show by living faith
Man can triumph over death.
Mine to tell of joys to come,
And the rebel sinner's doom;
Holy Bible, book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine.
—John Burton, Sr. |
| My Mother's Bible |
This book is all that's left me now,
Tears will unbidden start—
With faltering lip and throbbing brow
I press it to my heart.
For many generations past,
Here is our family tree;
My mother's hand this Bible clasped;
She, dying, gave it me.
Ah! well do I remember those
Whose names these records bear,
Who 'round the hearthstone used to close
After the evening prayer,
And speak of what these pages said,
In tones my heart would thrill!
Though they are with the silent dead
Here are they living still!
My father read this holy book
To brothers, sisters, dear;
How calm was my poor mother's look,
Who loved God's word to hear
Her angel face—I see it yet!
What thronging memories come!
Again that little group is met
Within the halls of home!
Thou truest friend man ever knew,
Thy constancy I've tried;
Where all were false, I found thee true,
My counselor and guide.
The mines of earth no treasure give
That could this volume buy;
In teaching me the way to live,
It taught me how to die.
—George P. Morris |
The Man in the Glory
"...the man Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy
2:5 |
I wake in the morning with thoughts of His love
Who is living for me in the glory above,
Ev'ry minute expecting He'll call me away,
And that keeps me bright all the rest of the day.
But the moments speed forward, and on comes the noon
Yet still I am singing: "He'll come very soon;"
And thus I am watching from morning till night
And pluming my wings to be ready for flight.
There's a Man in the glory I know very well
I have known Him for years, and His goodness can tell:
One day in His mercy He knock'd at my door,
And seeking admission, knock'd many times o'er.
But when I went to Him, and stood face to face,
And listen'd awhile to His story of grace,
How He suffer'd for sinners, and put away sin,
I heartily, thankfully welcomed Him in.
We have lived on together a number of years,
And that's why I neither have doubtings nor fears,
For my sins are all hid in the depths of the sea,
They were carried down there by the Man on the tree.
I am often surprised why the lip should be curl'd,
When I speak of my Lord to the man of the world;
And notice with sorrow his look of disdain,
When I tell him that Jesus is coming again.
He seems so content with his houses and gold,
While despising the ark, like the people of old,
And yet at His coming I'm sure he would flee,
Like the man in the garden, who ate of the tree.
I cannot but think it is foolish of souls
To put all their money "in bags which have holes",
To find in the day that is coming apace,
How lightly they valued the "riches of grace".
As fond as I am of His work in the field,
I would let go the plough, I would lay down the shield:
The weapons of service I'd put on the shelf,
And the sword in its scabbard, to be with Himself.
But I'll work on with pleasure, while keeping my eyes
On the end of the field where standeth the prize.
I would work for His glory, that when we shall meet
I may have a large sheaf to lay down at His feet;
That He too, with pleasure His fruit may review:
Is the Man in the glory a stranger to you?
A stranger to Jesus, what, do you know
He is washing poor sinners much whiter than snow?
Have you lived in a land where the Bible's unknown,
That you don't know the Man who is now on the throne?
Ah, did you but know half His beauty and power
You would not be a stranger another half–hour.
I have known Him so long that I'm able to say,
The very worst sinner He'll not turn away.
The question of sin, I adoringly see,
The Man in the glory has settled for me.
And as to my footsteps whatever the scene,
The Man in the glory is keeping me clean;
And therefore I'm singing from morning till night
The Man in the glory is all my delight.
—George
Cutting |
| The Legacy |
She could not give her children gold,
So she gave them faith to have and hold.
She could not give them royal birth...
A name renowned throughout the earth.
But she gave them seeds and garden spot
And shade trees when the sun was hot.
She could not give a silver spoon
Or servants waiting night and noon.
She gave them love and a listening ear
And told them God was always near.
She could not give them ocean trips
Aboard majestic sailing ships.
But she gave them books and quiet time,
Adventures found in prose and rhyme.
She could not give them worldly things
But what she gave was fit for kings.
For with her faith and books and sod,
She made each child aware of God.
—attributed to Alice Leedy Mason |
His Workmanship
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians
2:10
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ
himself being the chief corner stone. Ephesians 2:20
Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after
the counsel of his own will. Ephesians 1:11
Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? Proverbs
20:24
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians
2:13
His workmanship are we,
Our Head is Christ the Lord,
He gives instruction for our path,
When following His Word.
Great Shepherd of the sheep!
Our path to Him is known,
And He will take us by the hand,
The way to us is shown.
He knows the way we take,
Beginning unto end,
He worketh His own will in us,
This wise and loving Friend.
Before the world was formed,
The earth's foundation laid,
God had a purpose for each one,
His plan cannot be stayed.
Man's goings are of God,
He cannot understand,
The way the Lord is leading him,
But he can hold His hand.
And step by step we see,
The Lord is leading on,
And following His footsteps here,
Guides us through ways unknown.
Lead on, O blessed Lord,
Lead on from day to day,
Without Thee, and Thy guiding hand,
We'd wander far astray.
Oh! what a portion ours!
To walk the path with Thee,
Content to know, whate'er our lot,
The Lord is leading me.
When with Thee, Lord, above,
And we the path retrace,
We'll give Thee thanks for every step,
Thy wisdom and Thy grace.
—Lois Beckwith |
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord
Jesus,
that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which
is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13:20-21
That ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual
understanding. Colossians
1:9
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding
in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain
in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58
| My Old Bible |
Though the cover is worn,
And the pages are torn,
And though places bear traces of tears,
Yet more precious than gold
Is this Book worn and old,
That can shatter and scatter my fears.
This old Book is my guide,
'Tis a friend by my side,
It will lighten and brighten my way;
And each promise I find
Soothes and gladdens the mind,
As I read it and heed it each day.
To this Book I will cling,
Of its worth I will sing,
Though great losses and crosses be mine;
For I cannot despair,
Though surrounded by care,
While possessing this blessing Divine.
—Anonymous |
| The Anvil of God's Word |
Last eve I paused beside the blacksmith's door,
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
Then looking in, I saw upon the floor,
Old hammers worn with beating years of time.
"How many anvils have you had," said I,
"To wear and batter all these hammers so?"
"Just one," said he, and then with twinkling eye,
"The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."
"And so," I thought, "The Anvil of God's Word
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon,
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The Anvil is unharmed, the hammers gone."
—John
Clifford, D.D. |
The Grace That Is in Christ Jesus
Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 2:1
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet
for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich. 2
Corinthians 8:9
Unto everyone of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians
4:7
He giveth more grace. James 4:6 — Abundance of grace. Romans
5:17
My grace is sufficient for thee. 2
Corinthians 12:9
The grace that is shown in Christ Jesus,
What marvelous grace there we see!
'Tis His grace forever abounding,
Availeth for you and for me.
"Twas grace brought Him down from the glory,
'Twas grace led Him on to the cross,
'Twas grace to say "Father forgive them,"
'Twas grace to redeem us from loss.
When we were afar off and guilty,
His great heart of love would bestow,
Unmerited grace to the sinner,
To save him from hell and from woe.
'Tis His grace He offers His people,
"My grace is sufficient for thee,"
"He giveth more grace" as 'tis needed,
In measure abundant and free.
In days of distress, He exhorts us,
That we would in His grace "Be strong,"
For His grace can conquer each trial,
If we unto Jesus belong.
His grace, and His love, how we need it!
To bear the reproach and the shame;
To meekly endure for our Saviour,
And not to dishonor His Name.
Lord, grant us this grace in abundance,
And keep our eyes fixed upon Thee,
That we may extend unto others,
Thy grace, so abounding and free.
And help us by "looking to Jesus,"
That we would in His grace "be strong,"
For Thy blood has bought and redeemed us,
And we unto Jesus belong.
-- Lois Beckwith |
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus
Christ. Ephesians 1:2
That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace
in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest
any man should boast. Ephesians 2:7-9
| The Best of All |
Blessed Bible, sacred treasure,
Precious book, of all the best,
There is comfort never failing,
And a calm abiding rest.
Read with reverence, and commit it,
Verse by verse, and day by day;
'Tis the word that God has spoken,
And it cannot pass away.
—Fanny
Crosby |
| He Leadeth Me |
He leadeth me! O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be,
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
Chorus
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me:
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
Sometimes 'mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
By waters still, o'er troubled sea,
Still 'tis His hand that leadeth me!
Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine,
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since 'tis my God that leadeth me!
—Joseph
H. Gilmore |
| The Blessed Name |
There is no name so sweet on earth,
No name so sweet in heaven,
The name before His wondrous birth
To Christ the Saviour given.
O Jesus, by Thy matchless name,
Thy grace shall fail us never;
To-day as yesterday the same,
We'll bless Thy name forever.
For there's no name ear ever heard
So dear, so sweet as Jesus.
We love to sing of Christ our King
And hail Him, blessed Jesus.
—George
W. Bethune |
| What Christ Is To Us |
The Shield from every dart;
The Balm for every smart;
The Sharer of each load;
Companion on the road.
The Door into the fold;
The Anchor that will hold;
The Shepherd of the sheep;
The Guardian of my sleep.
The Friend with Whom I talk;
The Way by which I walk;
The Light to show the way;
The Strength for every day.
The Source of my delight;
The Song to cheer the night;
The Thought that fills my mind;
The Best of All to find—is Jesus!
—Anonymous |
| Take My Life and Let It Be |
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise;
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
—Frances Ridley Havergal |
"My Grace Is Sufficient for Thee"
2 Corinthians 12:9 |
When, sin-stricken, burdened, and weary,
From bondage I longed to be free,
There came to my heart the sweet message:
"My grace is sufficient for thee."
Though tempted and sadly discouraged,
My soul to this refuge will flee,
And rest in the blessed assurance:
"My grace is sufficient for thee."
My bark may be tossed by the tempest
That sweeps o'er the turbulent sea—
A rainbow illumines the darkness:
"My grace is sufficient for thee."
O Lord, I would press on with courage,
Though rugged the pathway may be,
Sustained and upheld by the promise:
"My grace is sufficient for thee."
Soon, soon will the warfare be over,
My Lord face to face I shall see,
And prove, as I dwell in His presence:
"His grace was sufficient for me."
—Anonymous |
Bearing His Reproach
Because for Thy sake I have borne reproach. Psalm 69:7
The reproaches of them that reproached Thee are fallen upon Me. Psalm
69:9
Mine enemies reproach Me all the day. Psalm 102:8
Reproach hath broken my heart. Psalm 69:20
They [the apostles] departed..., rejoicing that they were counted worthy
to suffer shame for His name. Acts 5:41
By faith Moses... esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches
than the treasures of Egypt. Hebrews 11:24-26
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory
and of God resteth upon you. 1 Peter 4:14
Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach. Hebrews
13:13
Are you bearing reproach for your Saviour?
Are you gathered alone to His name?
Have you taken His place of rejection?
Are you sharing His suffering and shame?
His Name, though despised and rejected,
Is a Name that we honour and love,
For JESUS, disowned by man's hatred,
Is highly exalted above.
The apostles rejoiced and were happy,
When suffering shame for His Name,
They counted it joy to be worthy
To share in His suffering and shame.
And Moses, by faith, forsook Egypt,
Refusing its treasures and fame,
Chose rather to suffer affliction
And bear the reproach of His Name.
If ye be reproached for your Saviour,
The Scripture says "Happy are ye,"
The Spirit of God and of glory
Is resting in blessing on thee.
O think of the anguish HE suffered,
These words of His own lips did impart;
"Mine enemies daily reproach Me,"—
"Reproach, it hath broken My heart!"
Dread not the reproach that men offer,
Fear not their revilings and shame,
For Jesus is with you to comfort,
He knows, for He's suffered the same.
So, if His reproach you are feeling,
When following Jesus as Lord,
The path will grow sweeter and brighter,
And bring an eternal reward.
—Lois
Beckwith |
Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. Isaiah
51:7
I, even I, am He that comforteth you. Isaiah 51:12
| Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me |
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me,
Over life's tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal:
Chart and compass come from Thee:
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.
As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boisterous waves obey Thy will
When thou say'st to them "Be still!"
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.
When I last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
'Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
"Fear not, I will pilot thee!"
—Edward Hopper |
Thyself
I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto Myself. Exodus
19:4
This people have I formed for Myself. Isaiah 43:21
I will come again, and receive you unto Myself. John 14:3
Thyself, Thyself, Lord Jesus, 'tis Thee and only Thee,
My soul desires for comfort, Thy blessed company.
When all around is changing, and all the world
grows old,
Unto Thyself, Lord Jesus, may my heart ne'er grow
cold.
Thy love hast sought and found us, be this our daily
song,
Thou'st suffered to redeem us, to Thee we now belong,
O keep us blessed Saviour, from straying from Thy
side,
For we were dearly purchased, for us Thou once hast
died.
Unto Thyself, Lord Jesus, O may we ever cleave,
For Thee, and Thy blest presence, all else content
to leave;
Though many changes meet us, in this, the present
scene,
Thou only art unchanging, and 'tis on Thee I lean.
In Thee, there's peace and comfort, in Thee there's
joy and rest,
True happiness abiding, when leaning on Thy breast.
Thy love will ever keep us, my happy heart doth sing,
When living in Thy presence, beneath Thy sheltering
wing.
O may we ever follow, the path Thy feet hast trod.
And find in Thee our pleasure, exceeding joy in God;
The world and all its pleasures, can never satisfy,
There's peace alone in Jesus, known only to faith's eye.
To Thee, O blessed Saviour, may my heart ever cling,
And sing Thy praises ever, My Saviour, Lord, and
King,
'Till with Thyself in glory, my ransomed soul shall be,
To worship and adore Thee, for all eternity.
—Lois
Beckwith |
All my springs are in Thee. Psalm 87:7
Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy. Psalm
43:4
| Rock of Ages |
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save me from its guilt and power.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfil Thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress,
Helpless, look to thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly,
Wash me, Saviour, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
While mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
—Augustus Montague Toplady |
Outside the Camp
The Lord said unto Moses... Therefore now go, lead the people unto
the place of which I have spoken unto thee. Exodus 32:33,34
And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from
the camp, and called it the Tabernacle
of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD
went out unto the Tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp. Exodus
33:7
Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach. Hebrews
13:13
Outside the camp with Jesus,
Oh, blessed, precious place,
Where He has called us to Himself
Through wondrous, matchless grace.
Apart from all that would distract,
Would hinder or would dim,
The fullness of communion sweet,
And fellowship with Him.
Outside the camp with Jesus,
'Tis He who makes the call,
To His beloved far and wide
To own Him Lord of all.
Outside the camp, where nothing else
But Jesus fills the heart,
Where He, the center of our thought,
Doth peace and joy impart.
Outside the camp with Jesus,
Just gathered to His Name,
Where He Himself is in the midst
Forevermore the same.
The Holy Spirit leads the way
When giv'n His rightful place,
To take the precious things of Christ,
Revealing matchless grace.
Outside the camp with Jesus,
'Tis Jesus fills our gaze
When He's the object of our thought,
Our theme of endless praise.
'Tis such a peaceful, precious place,
A blessed portion this,
A foretaste of the joys to come,
In Heav'n's eternal bliss.
I take my place, Lord Jesus,
Outside the camp with Thee,
Apart from all that interferes,
From worldly service free.
Just gathered round the Lord Himself,
Remembering Thy love,
Enjoying there Thy presence
Till we meet Thee Lord, above.
—Lois
Beckwith |
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there
am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20
| Moment by Moment |
Never a trial that He is not there;
Never a burden that He doth not bear;
Never a sorrow that He doth not share,
Moment by moment I'm under His care.
Never a heartache, and never a groan,
Never a tear-drop, and never a moan,
Never a danger but there, on the throne,
Moment by moment, He thinks of His own.
Never a weakness that He doth not feel;
Never a sickness that He cannot heal,
Moment by moment, in woe or in weal,
Jesus, my Saviour, abides with me still.
—Daniel W. Whittle |
| Abide With Me |
Abide with me: fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide:
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see:
O Thou Who changeth not, abide with me!
I need Thy presence every passing hour:
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me!
I fear not foe with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
Where is death's sting? where, grace, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain
shadows flee—
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!
—Henry
F. Lyte |
O! For a Perfect Trust
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee. Isaiah
26:3
O! for the peace of a perfect trust,
My loving God, in Thee;
Unwavering faith that never doubts
Thou choosiest best for me.
Best, though my plans be all upset;
Best though my way be rough;
Best, though my earthly store be scant;
In Thee I have enough.
Best, though my health and strength be gone;
Though weary days be mine;
Shut out from much that others have;
Not my will, Lord, but Thine.
And e'en though disappointments come,
They, too, are best for me
To wean me from this changing world
And lead me nearer Thee.
O! for the peace of a perfect trust,
That looks away from all;
That sees Thy hand in everything,
In great events and small.
That hears Thy voice — a Father's voice —
Directing for the best —
O! for the peace of a perfect trust,
A heart with Thee at rest.
—Author unknown |
| What God Hath Promised! |
God hath not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through;
God hath not promised
Sun without rain
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.
But God hath promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.
—Annie Johnson Flint |
Compiled by Stephen Ross for WholesomeWords.org.
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