The believers at Ephesus were admonished by the Apostle Paul to communicate with each other through poetic song and musical celebration.
…speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. - Ephesians 5:19 (NIV)
The deeper realities of life often escape the linguistic limitations of common prose. This requires the communicator to leap into the analogy and the hyperbole of poetic language. Poetry is the attempt to express that which is not easily expressible. Poetry speaks the things that defy being spoken.
Our poetic hymns express a joy that is unspeakable, an Everlasting Presence that cannot be fully captured through articulation:
“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie
my Grace, all sufficient, shall be the supply.”
“Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer
that calls me from a world of care.”
“In Christ there is no east or west,
in him no south or north.”
“Come Thou Fount of every blessing
tune my heart to sing thy Grace.”
These are among the songs and poems that put into words the richness of our faith and the mystery of our spiritual journey. We hear, we comprehend, and we are inspired as we go.
Prayer
Lord continue to speak to us through each other. And let our expressions continue to be beyond words. Amen.
About the Author
Kenneth L. Samuel is Pastor of Victory for the World Church, Decatur, Georgia.