In 1883, Priscilla J. Owens had an appreciation for the Bible that very few ever enjoy. It seems that Psalm 119 was particularly meaningful to her, although her words show an understanding of other divine designations for Scripture. While her name may not be familiar to us, the song that she wrote should be. We sing it often, but the words grabbed me even more yesterday. What is the Bible to you? Does your heart say, “Give Me the Bible”?
The Bible is the “star of gladness gleaming” with “radiance peaceful beaming.” The Psalmist wrote, “Your testimonies…are the rejoicing of my heart,” and “Great peace have those who love Your law” (119:111, 165).
The Bible is “faith’s lamp…lamp of safety…Holy message shining,” a “light” to “all my steps enlighten.” So many synonyms for light are used in this song, reminiscent of the great verse in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”
The Bible is “the precious words by Jesus spoken.” David confessed, “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!” (Psa. 139:17). Peter declares that in the Bible are “precious promises” (2 Pet. 1:4).
The Bible is the “lamp of life immortal..splendor by the open grave…light from heaven’s shining portals.” Paul tells us that “our Savior Jesus Christ…has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10).
The Bible is “precept and promise, law and love combining.” While some try to separate the “thou shalts” and “thou shalt nots” from the “God so loved” passages, such is not possible. “Whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him” (1 John 2:5; cf. 5:3).
We have the Bible to “cheer the wanderer lone and tempest-tossed” (Matt. 11:28-30); “to show my Savior near” “when my heart is broken, when sin and grief have filled my soul with fear (Matt. 28:20); to “teach me the danger of these realms below” (1 Pet. 2:11); to “guide me in the narrow way” (Matt. 7:13-14).
When you pause to reflect (and even sing) on what the Bible is to you and what the Bible provides for you, there is no greater sentiment than these four words, “GIVE! ME! THE BIBLE!” That should be the focus of our lives. (It is our revived focus on Sunday nights!)