Timeless Devotional Poetry
An Anthology
by
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I started thinking about assembling this anthology when I contemplated the current neglect of God-honoring poetry. I have but one objective in compiling this volume: to keep truly Christian poetry alive for future generations. Several fine anthologies of Christian poetry are currently available written by scholars for scholars. This book is not a scholarly work. It is a collection of poems for the general reader that glorify God. If we don’t read, reflect on, and enjoy the great wealth of Christian poetry available to us, these poetic gems will eventually be consigned to academic libraries and forgotten by the majority of the reading public. I am deeply troubled by the thought that my grandchildren and the rest of the world may not have access to this wealth of devotional poetry.
This volume comprises a chronological record of poetry from Anglo-Saxon England through early modern times that glorifies God and has stood the test of time.…It is an incontrovertible truth that much of the finest poetry written throughout the centuries is Christian poetry—that is, poetry that exalts God and his Word. One needs only to consider the number of Christian poets and the lyrics of God-honoring hymns that have remained well-loved to appreciate this fact. God himself inspired many poets such as the Hebrew King David to compose poetry that stirs our souls. We find beautiful poetry in the Psalms and other books of the Bible. The Lord has promised there will always be a remnant, and many Christians have been, and a few continue to be, fine poets. It’s a
comforting reality for believers worldwide.
Nevertheless, like other categories of classic literature, poetry per se is not in favor today, and poems that honor God are enjoyed by few readers.…It is a given that the literary canon has been under attack for decades.…The majority of canonical writers are no longer included in high school or university curricula. The great authors of the ages have been replaced by recent authors
whose works are of questionable caliber and whose moral compass is non-existent.…
On the other hand, Christian poetry has for centuries been set to music and sung as hymns in church services. I have included in this collection some of my favorite hymn lyrics that speak to the soul. They deserve to be read and cherished for their poetic beauty. Many of these hymns were written centuries ago and contain spiritual substance and application that modern worship songs often lack. Our churches and society in general run the risk of forgetting the great old hymns that have
stood the test of time in an effort to appeal to all ages of worshipers.
To read and select from thousands of poems has certainly been daunting, but the task of completing this book has given me countless hours of pleasure. Since my selections reflect the writers with whom I am familiar and whom I enjoy, I have doubtless omitted selections that others would have included. I am most familiar with poems almost exclusively by British and American authors. I hope my choices will give the reader many hours of pleasure, and if I have generated or rekindled interest in, for example, the poetry of godly men such as George Herbert, the work of compiling this anthology has been amply rewarded.
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About the Book
This anthology covers thirteen centuries of Christian poetry from the ancient Dream of the Rood to modern poems by T. S. Eliot and C. S. Lewis.
I can think of no one better qualified to assemble an anthology of Christian devotional poetry than Elizabeth Marlow. She not only knows this poetry well but has taught it for many years to appreciative students. Best of all, she loves and serves the Lord to whom the poems in this collection direct the gaze of our souls. With this anthology, she has given us a tool with which to stir up the embers of our hearts, that our love for the triune God might blaze all the brighter. I highly recommend this collection.
—Greg Bailey, Director of Editorial, Crossway Books
I am chastened by comments in the preface to this book: “If we don’t read, reflect on, and enjoy the great wealth of Christian poetry available to us, these poetic gems will eventually be consigned to academic libraries and forgotten by the majority of the reading public.” Apart from reading and singing psalms and hymns, I have not been an avid reader of poetry. I confess this to my shame, and recently I determined to address this appalling shortcoming in my life. Elizabeth Marlow’s anthology of poetry is the ideal antidote. I am excited to recommend this anthology of thirteen centuries of English poetry. Just look at the table of contents, and your appetite will be whetted. So join me in learning to love God better by reading these selections.
—Dr. Joseph A. Pipa, President of Greenville Theological Seminary,
Professor of Systematic and Homiletical Theology, Greenville, SC
About the Author
Elizabeth McCallum Marlow (M.A., University of Houston) taught high school and college English for thirty-five years. Elizabeth has compiled this anthology because poetry, especially devotional poetry, is becoming outdated and enjoyed by few readers. Elizabeth compiled this collection of poems and hymn lyrics in order to keep Christian poetry alive for generations of readers. She has written of a series of textbooks for high school literature teachers that cover British, American, world, and introductory literature courses. She is co-author of The Book Tree: A Christian Reference for Children's Literature, a guide that helps young people find books they enjoy and that cultivates a life-long habit of reading. You may contact Elizabeth at www.teachclassiclit.com.