“THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE”

(First printed in “Bible Light” in 1881)

In GENESIS the world was made by GOD’S creative hand
In EXODUS the Hebrews marched to gain the Promised Land,
LEVITICUS contains the Law, holy and just and good,
NUMBERS records the tribes enrolled – all sons of Abraham’s blood.
Moses in DEUTERONOMY, recounts GOD’s mighty deeds,
Brave JOSHUA into Canaan’s land, the hosts of Israel leads,
In JUDGES their rebellion oft provokes the LORD to smite,
But RUTH records the faith of one, well pleasing in His sight.
In First and Second SAMUEL, of Jesse’s son we read,
Ten tribes in First and Second KINGS, revolted from his seed.
The First and Second CHRONICLES see Judah captive made,
But EZRA leads a remnant back by princely Cyrus’ aid.
The city walls of Zion, NEHEMIAH builds again,
Whilst ESTHER saves her people from plots of wicked men.
In JOB we read how faith will live beneath affliction’s rod,
And David’s PSALMS are precious songs to every child of GOD.
The PROVERBS like a godly string of choicest pearls appear,
ECCLESIASTIES teaches man how vain are all things here.
The mystic SONG OF SOLOMON, exalts sweet Sharon’s rose,
Whilst Christ the Saviour and the King, the rapt ISAIAH shows.
The warning JEREMIAH – apostate Israel scorns;
His plaintive LAMENTATIONS, their awful downfall mourns.
EZEKIEL tells in wondrous words, of dazzling mysteries,
Whilst kings and empires yet to come, DANIEL in vision sees.
Of judgment and mercy, HOSEA loves to tell ;
JOEL describes the blessed days when GOD with man shall dwell.
Among Tekoa’s herdsmen AMOS received his call,
Whilst OBADIAH prophesies of Edom’s final fall.
JONAH enshrines a wondrous type of Christ our risen Lord;
MICAH pronounces Judah lost – lost, but again restored.
NAHUM declares on Ninevah, just judgment shall be poured.
A view of Chaldea’s coming doom, HABAKKUK’s visions give;
Next ZEPHANIAH warns the Jews to turn, repent and live.
HAGGAI wrote to those who saw the Temple built again,
And ZECHARIAH prophesied of Christ’s triumphal reign.
MALACHI was the last who touched the high prophetic chord;
It’s final notes sublimely show the coming of the LORD.

MATTHEW and MARK and LUKE and JOHN, the holy gospels wrote,
Describing how the Saviour died, His life and all He taught.
ACTS proves how God the Apostles owned with signs in every place.
Saint Paul in ROMANS teaches us how man is saved by grace,
The Apostle in CORINTHIANS , instructs, exhorts, reproves,
GALATIANS shows that faith in Christ alone the Father loves.
EPHESIANS and PHILIPPIANS tell what Christians ought to be;
COLOSSIANS bids us live to God, and for eternity.
In THESSALONIANS we are taught the Lord will come from Heaven,
In TIMOTHY and TITUS, a Bishop’s rule is given.
PHILEMON marks a Christian’s love, which only Christians know,
HEBREWS reveals the Gospel prefigured by the Law.
JAMES teaches without holiness, faith is but vain and dead,
PETER points the narrow way in which the saints are led.
JOHN in his three Epistles, on Love delights to dwell,
JUDE gives awful warning of judgment, wrath and Hell.
John’s REVELATION prophesies of that tremendous day,
When CHRIST and CHRIST alone, shall be the trusting sinner’s stay.

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The above was first printed in “Bible Light” in 1881