Many human poets, inspired by the Bible’s profound themes, timeless stories, and poetic beauty, have created poems reflecting on its messages. These poets have explored themes like faith, redemption, love, and divine majesty, drawing from Scripture’s imagery and teachings. Here are some notable examples of poets and their works influenced by the Bible:
1. John Milton (1608–1674)
- Work: Paradise Lost
- Biblical Influence:
- Paradise Lost is an epic poem exploring the biblical story of the Fall of Man as recounted in Genesis. Milton delves deeply into themes of free will, temptation, and redemption.
- Excerpt:
“Of Man’s first disobedience, and the fruit
Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste
Brought death into the world, and all our woe,
With loss of Eden, till one greater Man
Restore us, and regain the blissful seat…”
2. William Blake (1757–1827)
- Work: Songs of Innocence and Experience
- Biblical Influence:
- Blake’s poetry often reflects biblical imagery and themes of divine justice, innocence, and the struggle between good and evil.
- Example: The Lamb references Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29).
“Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed
By the stream and o’er the mead…”
3. George Herbert (1593–1633)
- Work: The Temple
- Biblical Influence:
- Herbert’s poetry is deeply devotional, often paraphrasing Scripture and reflecting his faith. Themes include submission to God’s will and gratitude for His grace.
- Example: Love (III), inspired by the gospel’s message of grace:
“Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lacked anything.”
4. T.S. Eliot (1888–1965)
- Work: The Waste Land and Journey of the Magi
- Biblical Influence:
- Eliot’s works often explore spiritual desolation and redemption. Journey of the Magi reflects the biblical account of the Magi’s visit to Christ (Matthew 2:1–12).
- Excerpt from Journey of the Magi:
“A cold coming we had of it,
Just the worst time of the year
For a journey, and such a long journey:
The ways deep and the weather sharp,
The very dead of winter.”
5. Christina Rossetti (1830–1894)
- Work: A Christmas Carol (also known as In the Bleak Midwinter)
- Biblical Influence:
- Inspired by the nativity story, Rossetti’s poem reflects on the humility of Christ’s birth and humanity’s response.
- Excerpt:
“In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.”
6. Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–1889)
- Work: God’s Grandeur
- Biblical Influence:
- Hopkins draws on biblical themes of creation and God’s enduring presence despite human sinfulness, echoing passages like Psalm 24 and Genesis 1.
- Excerpt:
“The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?”
7. Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)
- Biblical Influence:
- Dickinson’s poems frequently engage with biblical themes, including immortality, faith, and doubt. While her approach is often enigmatic, it reflects a deep engagement with Scripture.
- Example: I Know That He Exists (referencing God’s hiddenness and revelation).
“I know that He exists.
Somewhere—in silence—
He has hid his rare life
From our gross eyes.”
8. Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936)
- Work: Recessional
- Biblical Influence:
- Kipling reflects on the fleeting nature of earthly power and the need for humility before God, echoing themes found in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
- Excerpt:
“The tumult and the shouting dies;
The captains and the kings depart:
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.”
Themes Explored by Poets on the Bible
- Creation and Nature: Celebrating God’s creative power (e.g., Gerard Manley Hopkins).
- Sin and Redemption: Exploring human fallibility and God’s grace (e.g., John Milton).
- Faith and Doubt: Wrestling with belief, doubt, and the mysteries of God (e.g., Emily Dickinson).
- Christ’s Birth and Sacrifice: Reflecting on the humility and significance of Jesus’ life (e.g., Christina Rossetti, T.S. Eliot).
- Divine Majesty: Praising God’s grandeur and eternal sovereignty (e.g., William Blake).
Conclusion
The Bible has inspired countless poets to reflect deeply on its themes of creation, redemption, love, and divine power. These poems, both devotional and exploratory, continue to resonate with readers, offering fresh perspectives on the timeless truths of Scripture.