Poetry of Redemption
How can poetry spark our hearts during Holy Week? In Poetry of Redemption, Leland Ryken presents an illustrated treasury of Good Friday and Easter poems.
In this 150-page anthology, Ryken shares 40 meditative readings for Holy Week. The book is divided into 7 sections, beginning Before the Foundation of the World: God’s Eternal Redemptive Plan and ending At the Open Tomb: Resurrection. Poems, sonnets, and songs are combined to paint a vivid and moving picture of the passion of Christ.
Devotional Literature
Ryken explains why these selections are to be seen as devotional literature, and he accompanies each with an explication. An explication is “a literary analysis and explanation of the form and content of a poem.” In this way, Ryken is likened to a guide who journeys with you through the form and content of a poem, pointing out and explaining the beauty and meaning along the way.
I was most pleased to see familiar hymns such as Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed by Isaac Watts and There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood by William Cowper. I also found new favorites such as Spit in My Face, You Jews by John Donne and When Rising from the Bed of Death by Joseph Addison.
Beautiful, Rich, and Rewarding
I was most moved to see hymns from the Bible, including The Sufferer’s Psalm (Psalm 22), The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53), and Even Death on a Cross (Philippians 2:5–11). Ryken’s insights are worshipful throughout. Also included are gorgeous paintings and illustrations from history.
This book is a beautiful, rich, and rewarding read. It has inspired me to continue crafting my own prayer poems and worship songs. It will help you feel the emotion in Holy Scripture, experience the wonder of Holy Week, and get a glimpse of the glory of our Holy Lord.
I received a media copy of Poetry of Redemption and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.
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