Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BIBLE I REMEMBER by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS

First Line: I KNOW IT ALL IS WAITING
Last Line: SHALL BE THE WHOLE DEAR BOOK!
Subject(s): BIBLE;
I know it all is waiting,
The wisdom and delight,
Rich glories of Isaiah,
Ezekiel's Pisgah sight,
Splendors of Jeremiah,
And Moses' calm address,
The towering flames of Amos,
Hosea's tenderness.

I know that I can reach them
In half a minute's time, --
The teaching of the sages,
The prophet's ode sublime,
The wars of mighty monarchs,
The journeyings of Paul, --
But the Bible I remember
Is my Bible, after all.

"Let not your heart be troubled";
How often to my soul
These words have brought the healing
Of comfort and control!
"The Lord, the Lord's my shepherd!"
What strength the phrase has borne
When I have faced the tempest,
Unfriended and forlorn!

What hope in dire temptation
Is that "He knows our frame";
What joy the "whatsoever"
We ask in Jesus' name!
What cheer in hours of weakness
Repeating steadily:
"I can do all things, all things,
Through Christ, who strengthens me!"

The affluent Twelfth of Romans,
The regal ninetieth Psalm,
The hero-list in Hebrews,
And First John's brother-balm;
That chapter, "Love the greatest";
That chapter, "No more pain," --
To these my memory hastens,
And never seeks in vain.

When foes are hot against me
With musket and with blade,
The battle high around me
And I am sore dismayed,
'Tis not the crowded armory
That gives me strength to stand,
And come off more than victor,
But -- the weapon in my hand.

Some day -- and thus the study
Of day by day shall tend --
I hope to know my Bible
From blessed end to end;
To range its utter limit,
Vast peak and hidden nook;
And the Bible I remember
Shall be the whole dear Book!



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