ReadersMagnet takes a look at different types of Christian poetry that are inspiring many lives today.

Christian poetry is defined as works of literature that involve references to the Holy Bible, devotion to God, the teachings of Jesus Christ and tackles different aspects of Christian living. We can trace the history of Christian poetry in the Holy Bible, the sacred text of Christians, particularly in the books belonging to the Old Testament. While the New Testament is the foundation of modern Christian poetry because it covers the birth, life, death, and resurrection of its central figure, Jesus Christ, the earliest poems of Christianity are reflected in the Old Testament. Thus, we will be dividing Christian poetry as classical Christian poetry and modern Christian poetry.

Classical Christian Poetry

Before Christianity and before the arrival of Jesus Christ, the Old Testament served as the sacred book for the Hebrews. The Book of Psalms, also known as the “Book of Praises,” features the holy text in the Hebrew Bible. Later on, the book became an important part Christian Bible and the history of the Christian faith. The book consists of 150 psalms, 75 of which are attributed to King David of Israel. These psalms were written as religious poems and display similarities with ancient Egyptian hymns in form and style. They are organized and arrange using devices such as meter, alliteration, and rhyme. In the book of Psalms, themes of such the divine attributes of God the Creator and the soul’s longing to join Him in life without end are featured heavily. Poems that speak about worshipping God and all His greatness also defined the early sacred Hebrew text. In essence, they are the ancient forms of praise and devotional poetry, similar to today’s poetry by Raymond Quattlebaum and his contemporaries.

“When you, God, went out before your people,

when you marched through the wilderness,[d]

8 the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain,

before God, the One of Sinai,

before God, the God of Israel.

9 You gave abundant showers, O God;

you refreshed your weary inheritance.

10 Your people settled in it,

and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.”

Another book from Herbrew’s Old Testament is Song of Songs. It is a collection of figurative poems of God’s love for His people. The Solomon Song or Songs or Songs are divided into ten parts and feature passionate and sensual writings. 

“15 Behold, you are beautiful, my love.

Behold, you are beautiful.

Your eyes are doves.

16 Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, yes, pleasant;

and our couch is verdant.” 

Modern Christian Poetry

When we say modern Christian poetry, we refer to contemporary poetry whose works are primarily about devotion, keeping the faith and stories of personal salvation. Since the last century, modern poetry has existed and shares many of the themes of biblical poetry. Just like the poetry from the Old Testament, they feature the greatness and goodness of God. They express their poetry using the beauty of nature or pleasant daily experiences that hope to inspire others to see God and all His blessings. Many Christian poems also take the form of thanksgiving for blessings God has bestowed on the faithful. Poetry is sometimes composed as prayers or personal haikus. There are also requests for guidance, protection, forgiveness, or salvation for oneself or a loved one.

1.

These are things you need to Know! Education will help you grow!!

2.

Breaking down the essence from the beginning of time, we are the products of God’s infinite mind!

3.

Can we find the truth. God says time is of the essence today teach it to our youth. This is how it comes around, and History has the proof! 

Modern Christian poems that are common today tackle an individual’s struggle to accept God fully. They express their Christian faith by displaying their complete surrender to God’s will and the teachings of Christ. They are among the most remarkable types of modern Christian poetry written today.

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