Why Christians Should Read and Write Poetry
What Comes to Mind When You Think of Poetry?
Is it a stuffy, boring English class where rhyme schemes and meters are dissected to exhaustion? Many people have grown up associating poetry with something overly intellectual or distant. Yet poetry, at its heart, is anything but boring. For thousands of years, it has been a way to express profound thoughts in a manner both beautiful and easy to remember. As Christians, we have even more reason to love poetry, for it is not merely a human invention but a God-given gift to communicate truth, worship, and emotion.
The Bible is Filled with Poetry
Roughly one-third of the Bible is written in poetic form. When the Holy Spirit inspired the authors of Scripture, He often moved them to express God's truth in poetic language. While biblical poetry doesn't follow the same conventions as traditional English poetry—such as rhyme or strict meter—it achieves the same goal: expressing truth beautifully and memorably.
Many examples of biblical poetry occur within narratives, where someone so moved by God's works can find no other way to respond than with poetic praise. For example:
Moses: After God delivered Israel from Egypt by parting the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites sang a song of triumph (Exodus 15:1-18).
David: The Psalms are full of David's poetic reflections on God's character, such as Psalm 23, which proclaims, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
Mary and Zechariah: In Luke's Gospel, Mary responds to the angel's announcement of Jesus' birth with the Magnificat, a song of praise (Luke 1:46-55). Later, Zechariah does the same in the Benedictus, glorifying God's redemptive plan (Luke 1:68-79).
The Psalms, the largest book of the Bible, is entirely poetic, showing the depth and breadth of human experience as it relates to God.
Poetry in Christian History
This tradition didn’t end with the close of the biblical canon. Throughout history, Christians have embraced poetry to worship God and reflect on His truth. John Newton, the former slave trader turned preacher, wrote countless hymns, including the timeless "Amazing Grace." Isaac Watts, another influential hymn writer, composed works like "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," blending deep theological truth with poetic beauty. Even non-musical poetry, such as George Herbert's "The Temple," continues to inspire readers today.
Poetry Slows You Down
Unlike other forms of writing, poetry requires intentionality. You can’t speed-read a poem without losing its meaning. Poetry places significant weight on each word, compelling readers to slow down and engage with both their minds and hearts.
Writing poetry similarly slows you down. It forces you to express thoughts in concise, structured ways that encapsulate meaning. The rhythm and rhyme lead you to read aloud, hear the cadence, and savor the beauty of language. Paradoxically, this structure offers freedom—freedom to distill your deepest thoughts into powerful, memorable phrases.
Poetry Makes Truth Memorable
Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is written as an acrostic poem—each section begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This poetic structure made it easier for the original audience to memorize, embedding God's Word deep in their hearts. Even today, the Psalms and other poetic passages of Scripture remain some of the most quoted and cherished portions of the Bible.
Poetry Takes You Deeper
Poetry has a unique way of taking us deeper into truth. The layered imagery, metaphor, and rhythm create space for reflection, helping us connect with emotions and concepts in a profound way. Whether you're reading Isaiah's poetic prophecies or composing your own verses of praise, poetry invites you to linger in the presence of God and discover new depths of His grace and glory.
Conclusion
Poetry is not just an art form; it’s a excellent addition to your spiritual disciplines. It slows us down, helps us memorize truth, and takes us deeper into God's character and work. Whether we are reading the Psalms, singing hymns, or writing our own verses, we are participating in a rich tradition of expressing worship and wonder.
As Psalm 19:1 poetically proclaims, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." May we, like the psalmist, use poetry to glorify our Creator and draw nearer to Him.