Poetry is essential reading for Christians. After all, about a third of the Bible is poetry. Yet few poetry books are published, and they are rare in between. It is a shame, for the Lord has richly blessed the Church with incredibly talented poets through the ages.
Fortunately, many authors have endeavored to provide the Church with this rich treasury over the years. A.W Tozer is one such. And in The Christian Book of Mystical Verse, Tozer compiled a collection of poems, hymns, and prayers for devotional readings.
Tozer “wrote” this book for two primary purposes. First, to have some of the best English devotional readings in one convenient volume for private devotion and worship. And second, for believers to get acquainted or reacquainted with this part of our spiritual heritage and enjoy it.
Now the title of this book might raise a few eyebrows as mystical has a negative connotation in evangelicalism. But Tozer does not hesitate to use this word.
He says, “The word mystic as it occurs in the title of this book refers to that personal; spiritual experience common to the saints of Bible times and well known to multitudes of persons in the post-biblical era. I refer to the evangelical mystic who has been brought by the gospel into intimate fellowship with the Godhead. His theology is no less, and no more than is taught in the Christian Scriptures…The hymns and poems found here are mystical in that way they are God-oriented; they begin with God, embrace the worshiping soul, and return to God.”
The book features 107 verses grouped into 15 themes: Adoration of the Godhead, Meditations on the Cross of Christ, Penitential Reflections on our Sins, Rejoicing in Forgiveness and Justification, Yearning for Purity of Heart, Aspirations after God, Delighting in God’s Presence, The Raptures of Divine Love, The Rest of Faith, The Spiritual Warfare, Victory Through Praise, The Prayer of Quiet, The Bliss of Communion, Joyous Anticipation of Christ’s Return, and Immortality and the World to Come.
Tozer did a beautiful service to the Church by compiling these inspiring, theologically rich poems, hymns, and prayers. The writings in this book will enrich your private devotions with higher thoughts and meditations about our God. It is a book to keep on your nightstand, read slowly daily, and meditate on its profound truths. I highly recommend it.
Moody Publishers graciously gave me a copy and this is my honest review.
