In GENESIS
the world was made by God's creative hand;
In EXODUS the Hebrews marched to gain
the Promised Land;
LEVITICUS contained the Law, holy,
and just and good.
NUMBERS records the Tribes enrolled -
all sons of Abraham's blood.
Moses, in DEUTERONOMY, records God's
mighty deeds.
Brave JOSHUA into Canaan's land the
host of Israel leads.
In JUDGES their rebellion oft
provokes the Lord to smite.
But RUTH records the faith of one
well pleasing in His sight.
In first and second SAMUEL of Jesse's
son we read.
Ten tribes in first and second KINGS revolted
from his seed.
The first and second CHRONICLES see
Judah captive made;
But EZRA leads a remnant back by
princely Cyrus' aid.
The City walls of Zion NEHEMIAH builds
again;
Whilst ESTHER saves her people from
plots of wicked men.
In JOB we read how faith will live
beneath affliction's rod,
And David's PSALMS are precious songs
to every child of God.
The PROVERBS like a goodly string of
choicest pearls appear.
ECCLESIASTES teaches man how vain are
all things here.
The mystic SONGS OF SOLOMON exalts
sweet Sharon's Rose;
Whilst Christ the Saviour and King the rapt ISAIAH
shows.
The warning JEREMIAH - apostate
Israel scorns;
His plaintive LAMENTATIONS their
awful downfall mourns;
EZEKIEL tells in wondrous words of
dazzling mysteries;
Whilst kings and empires yet to come, DANIEL
in vision sees.
Of judgement and mercy HOSEA loves to
tell.
JOEL describes the blessed days when
God with man shall dwell.
Among Tekoa's herdsmen AMOS received
his call;
Whilst OBADIAH prophesies of Edom's
final fall.
JONAH enshrines a wondrous type of
Christ our risen Lord,
MICAH pronounces Judah lost - lost,
but again restored.
NAHUM declares on Nineveh just
judgement shall be poured.
A view of Chaldea's coming doom HABAKKUK'S
visions give;
Next ZEPHANIAH warns the Jews to
turn, repent, and live.
HAGGAI wrote to those who saw the
temple built again,
And ZECHARIAH prophesied of Christ's
triumphant reign.
MALACHI was the last who
touched the high prophetic cord;
Its final notes sublimely show the coming of the Lord.
MATTHEW and MARK, and LUKE and JOHN,
the Holy Gospels wrote,
Describing how the Saviour died - His life and all He taught;
ACTS proves how God the Apostles
owned with signs in every place.
Paul in ROMANS teaches us how man is
saved by grace.
The Apostle in CORINTHIANS instructs,
exhorts, reproves.
GALATIANS shows that faith in Christ
alone the Father loves.
EPHESIANS and PHILIPPIANS tells what Christians ought to be.
COLOSSIANS bids us live to God and
for eternity.
In THESSALONIANS we are taught the
Lord will come from Heaven.
In TIMOTHY and TITUS as bishop's rule is given.
PHILEMON marks a Christian's love,
which only Christians know.
HEBREWS reveals the Gospel prefigured
by the Law.
JAMES teaches without holiness faith
is but vain and dead.
PETER
points the narrow way in which the saints are led.
JOHN in his Epistles on love delights
to dwell.
JUDE gives awful warnings of
judgement, wrath, and hell.
The REVELATION prophesies of that
tremendous day
When CHRIST, and CHRIST alone, shall be the trembling sinner's stay.