Turning Bible Verses into verse

Some translations of the Bible make almost every verse  sound poetic, such as the King James Version, which can often be scanned into iambic pentameter (basically, five upbeats per line.)

 

Hebrew poetry, however, relies more on patterns of thought, such as a statement further developed to bring spiritual depth and insight. Often, these verses can readily slip into syllabic poems, which use a 5/7/5 count of syllables on three successive lines. 

When this type of poem focuses on God the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit, I call them Highku, after the most High God but with a nod to the haiku form such as shown here:

 

 

Psalm 36:9

For with the Lord is

the fountain of life, and in

His Light we see light.

 

Romans 8:28

For we know all things

will work together for good

for those who love God.

 

Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord our God is

in our midst! He rejoices

over us with song.

 

Or a verse can be paraphrased as shown in this example from Psalm 33.

 

Sing about God’s Word.

Believe in His promises –

each one meant for you!

 

Bible verses can also become free verse or a prayer-song as in this passage from Psalm 143.

 

Let me hear Thy loving kindness

in the morning, LORD,

for I trust –

oh, I trust in You.

 

Teach me The Way

in which I should walk,

for to You I lift up

my soul – my life!

For to You, I lift up my soul.

Nothing replaces Holy Scripture! Sometimes, though, a contemporary-sounding poem can speak to readers who might not ever open a Bible.

May God guide the work we've been given to do in Jesus' Name.

 

 

Mary Harwell Sayler

 

 

 

 

 

 

God messaged me through music

Since I grew up in church, hymn lyrics provided the primary poetry in my life. Well, that and Robert Lewis Stevenson’s A Child’s Garden of Verse. Decades later, I can still recite some of the latter. And I still like to swing and eat animal crackers but without the cocoa. However, the words to hymns escape me until the music begins and kinetic memory beckons me to sing along.

During the day, I usually turn on instrumental versions of classical hymns to fill my home with memories and uplift my spirit. Often, those same old favorites run through my mind, and I like that good company.

This week, though, an internal recording got stuck on a tune I’d heard but couldn’t recall the words. What made this disconcerting was hearing the phrase, “And shall be till I die” play on automatic repeat!

I tried to change the music in my head, but after a short intermission, there was that phrase again, “And shall be till I die” – playing over and over and…. So, I did what most people now do. I Googled the phrase. Up popped “There Is a Fountain” with sheet music showing five verses, the second-to-last of which ended, “And shall be till I die.”

By this time, I was sure God was trying to tell me something, so I couldn’t help but wonder if He were telling me I’m going to die. Yes, we all are, but I was hoping to wait a while. Nevertheless, with a little trepidation, I read the lyrics of that fourth line, and here’s what I found:

“Redeeming love has been my theme; And shall be till I die.”

Yes! Thank You, God! I can live with that theme! And, Lord willing, that theme – that purpose – shall continue in me until I die.

Amen!

 

©2025, Mary Harwell Sayler

 

 

God wants to bring good from bad

Remember how Romans 8:28  assures us that "All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose?" Two biblical examples of this very thing come to mind:

First, when the Apostle Paul heard of some basic no-no's happening among the Christians in Corinth, he wrote a letter to chastise them. Eventually, however, he tried another approach, and by Chapter 13 of First Corinthians, he gave us one of the most profound treatices ever written on the true meaning of love. That "Love Chapter" as it's often called, provides a way to assess our attitudes and actions, but would we have been given such a beautiful, poetic definition of love if the Corinthians had not been behaving so badly?

Then, in the book of Revelation, the Apostle John wrote down the vision the Risen Christ had given to correct and encourage the seven churches - lauds and warnings that still apply today. When it came to Laodicea,  the last church mentioned, the Lord sharply rebuked them, saying they were neither hot nor cold, but so lukewarm in their fath that He was ready to spit them out of His mouth. Or, as some translations suggest, they made the Lord Christ want to vomit! 

And yet....

After explaining what the Laodiceans lacked, Jesus let them know He only chastises those He loves. And, in verse 20, He offered up an often-quoted invitation that would not have been needed if the Christians in Laodicea had already been strong in faith. Jesus said, "Behold! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in, and we will dine together."

Surely, the Lord would rather not fuss at us! Yet, it's a blessing to know He wants to turn our mistakes, bad attitudes, and poor choices into something good. Praise God! He can!

(c) 2024, Mary Harwell Sayler