Saturday, March 19, 2011

Classic Christian Poetry - Ralph Erskine

Ralph Erskine

 

Excerpts from

“Thy Maker is thy Husband”

 

"Thy Maker is thy Husband."—Isa 54.5

Of light and life, of grace and glore,
       In Christ thou art partaker,
Rejoice in him for evermore,
       Thy husband is thy maker.

He made all, yea, he made all thine,
       All to thee shall be giv'n.
Who can thy kingdom undermine?
       Thy husband made the heav'n.

What earthly thing can thee annoy?
       He made the earth to be;
The waters cannot thee destroy,
       Thy husband made the sea.

Don't fear the flaming element
       Thee hurt with burning ire,
Or that the scorching heat torment
       Thy husband made the fire.

Infectious streams shall ne'er destroy,
       While he is pleased to spare;
Thou shalt thy vital breath enjoy,
       Thy husband made the air.

The sun that guides the golden day,
       The moon that rules the night,
The starry frame, the milky way,
       Thy husband made for light.

The bird that wings its airy path,
       The fish that cuts the flood,
The creeping crowd that swarms beneath,
       Thy husband made for good.

In Tophet, where the damn'd resort,
       Thy soul shall never dwell,
Nor needs from thence imagine hurt;
       Thy husband formed hell.

Satan with instruments of his
       May rage, yet dread no evil;
So far as he a creature is,
       Thy husband made the devil.

His black temptations may afflict,
       His fiery darts annoy;
But all his works, and hellish tricks,
       Thy husband will destroy.

Let armies strong of earthly gods
       Combine with hellish ghosts,
They live or languish, at his nods
       Thy husband's Lord of hosts.

What can thee hurt? whom dost thou fear ?
       All things are at his call.
Thy maker is thy husband dear,
       Thy husband's all in all.

The less thou seek'st, the less thou dost
       His bounty set on high;
But highest seekers here do most
       Thy husband glorify.

Would'st thou have grace? Well; but 'tis meet
       He should more glory gain.
Wouldst thou have Father, Son, and Sp'rit?
       Thy husband says AMEN.

Thou hast indeed the better part,
       The part will fail thee never:
Thy husband's hand, thy husband's heart,
       Thy husband's all for ever.

Art thou by lusts a captive led,
       Which breeds thy deepest grief?
To ransom captives is his trade,
       Thy husband's thy relief.

His precious name is JESUS, why?
       Because he saves from sin;
Redemption's right he won't deny,
       Thy husband's near of kin.

His wounds have sav'd thee once from woes,
       His blood from vengeance screen'd;
When heav'n, and earth, and hell were foes,
       Thy husband was a friend.

And will thy captain now look on,
       And see thee trampled down?
When, lo! thy champion has the throne,
       Thy husband wears the crown.

Yield not, though cunning Satan bribe,
       Or like a lion roar;
The Lion strong of Judah's tribe,
       Thy husband's to the fore.

And that he never will forsake,
       His credit fair he pawn'd ;
In hottest broils, then, courage take,
       Thy husband's at thy hand.

No storm needs drive thee to a strait,
       Who dost his aid invoke:
Fierce winds may blow, proud waves may beat;
       Thy husband is the rock.

Renounce thine own ability,
       Lean to his promis'd might;
The strength of Isra'l cannot lie,
       Thy husband's pow'r is plight.

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