Did you know that nearly a third of the Old Testament was written in poetic form? Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon and Job are just a few of the books where we can experience God’s Word through poetry!

Often poetry is seen as a type of writing that is meant to inspire and entertain, but it’s not typically viewed as the most direct way of providing information. Many of us look to Scripture for practical guidance and direction for how to live our lives. But what about enjoyment and beauty?

God’s heart is revealed in every passage of Scripture, and the Bible has the power to transform lives! We can get a unique look at His love, zeal and compassion — and how those characteristics impact our relationship with Him — through the poetic books of the Bible.

Today people are waiting to encounter these attributes of God through experiencing His Word in a language they understand. Wycliffe engages with 3,000 partners — churches, missions organizations and like-minded ministries — around the world to help bring people the poetry of Psalms, Proverbs and more in their language.

Just like David expressed his grief and joys to the Lord in Psalms, the author of Lamentations cried out to God and declared hope in His character, and King Hezekiah wrote poems of praise, Bible translators have used poetry to convey their praises and petitions for the life-changing work of Bible translation.

As you read these prayers and poems from translators, join us in praising God for all He is doing to bring His Word to people in their language, and let’s pray for the work that is still to be done.

“Flaming Candle” by Ken Pike

The following poem was originally written by Ken Pike, a pioneer in Bible translation who made significant contributions to linguistics, philosophy and poetry. Much of his work as a translator was spent with the Mixtec-speaking people of Central America. His sister, Eunice Pike, was one of the first women to help translate the Bible.

This poem was originally published in HIS Magazine in 1958.

• Sharp cut lamps of night —


• By strength of Mighty God


• Lighted with eternal fire,


• Placed in candlestick of naught —


• And roaming with energy


• transformed —


• So we would shine,


• Transformed from nothing, set apart


• To light worlds with Glory


• Born beneath a candle


• Set o’er Bethlehem’s morn.

Ken Pike’s poem reminds the reader of the beauty of Jesus! Inspired by verses such as John 8:12, where Jesus declares that He is the light of the world, Ken’s poem serves as an encouragement for us to praise Him and reflect on His goodness. We can do this as we read other Scriptures, like Psalm 119:105, and are reminded that God’s Word is “a lamp to our feet and a light to our path”!

“Why Have You Come?” by William Atherton

The following is an excerpt from a poem titled “Why Have You Come?” written by William Atherton, a translator serving in the Philippines. This poem captures the emotions of a translator and his relationship with a local man who wants to know why the translator has come.

• “And there’s no use them to deny.


• Nor to refute, nor answer back;


• I understand the ‘what and why.’


• But to your question let us turn.”


• At this with loving hands he took


• His work from off the desk and said:


• “The answer’s found right here — this Book.


• Look! Look! Here’s the Word of Life,


• No longer in a foreign tongue,


• But in the old familiar words


• Used by these people old and young.


• So jests, or sneers, or rage mean


• Naught when daily grows this sacred Tome


• Each line, each page so richly wrought


• With golden threads of help from home


• And you must know that for each foe,


• Ten friends have I my heart to cheer,


• And prayer and love from them rise up


• To guard my soul from pain and fear.


• “And best of all, my Saviour’s here —


• Companion on life’s rugged way.


• So ‘tis no wonder, my dear friend,


• That I am willing here to stay.


• “Then, someday, when this Book’s complete,


• I’ll bring it as an offering,


• As when the wise men came of old


• And paid to Him their homage deep,


• With rich, rare gifts; and shepherds too,


• In awesome reverence brought a sheep.


• I know not how those gifts were used.


• Nor do I ask. Our King is wise;


• And each gift finds its proper use


• To lead men to the heavenly prize.”

The “why” of Bible translation is so important, and the heart of it can be seen clearly in William Atheron’s words — “to lead [people] to the heavenly prize”! Today we are praying for and awaiting a day when all people can experience the Word of Life in their own language.

The Prayer of a Co-Translation Helper

This prayer was originally published in an issue of Translation magazine in 1972. Join us in praying these words of praise and petition over those working to bring God’s Word to all people in a language they understand!

• Oh Jesus Christ, my God, you who live in heaven, thank you for our life which you give us day by day and for our health. We ask the favor that you forgive our sins. Protect us every day wherever we are. Protect our children. Protect our wives at home. We also ask the favor that you will protect our brothers who believe in you. Yes, protect the men, women, and children, God, because we know that it is written in your Word that only you are our Guardian. How we thank you, God, that we believe and that we understand your Word.

• We ask the favor that you will watch over all our brethren wherever they might live. Save them from danger, because the people are angry with them. Thank you that your Word came here where we live. But we ask the favor that it should not come just to us, but to all those who have not yet heard it. Strengthen us, God, so that we can tell your Word to the people. And save us from the people who are angry with us. Forgive them for what they say in opposition to your Word. All these favors we ask. Thank you, God. Thank you.

• We ask the favor that you will bless the people who write your Word all over the world. Give them wisdom so that what they write will turn out well. Now bless all: the men, the women, the boys, the girls, all who work for the spread of your Word. Protect them. It is written in your Word, God, that you are with us until the end of the world. All these favors we ask and thank you now at this time. Amen.

Praise God for encouragement and inspiration — found both in His Word and the prayers and words of people seeking to make Him known across the world! As you go about your day, sit down to enjoy God’s Word or pray, remember these poems and prayers and thank God for the beauty of knowing Him.