I am deep in a study of pastors who were also poets. The Soul in Paraphrase: A Treasury of Classic Devotional Poems by Leland Ryken has proven to be not only a helpful resource for this project, but a devotional source that I anticipate enjoying for years to come.
About
The Soul in Paraphrase takes its title from “Prayer,” a poem by George Herbert (1593–1633). As Ryken explains, “in paraphrase” simply means “in one’s own words.” That is how Herbert describes prayer, and that is essentially what this book is: a collection of poets’ personal explorations of and reflections on sacred themes.
This collection of devotional poetry includes over 90 poems by over 30 poets. These selections span from the oldest surviving poem in English to poetry written in the modern era. Author and compiler Leland Ryken is careful to explain that these poems are not the trite “versified prose” we might find on a greeting card. Rather, they are substantial in the sense that they are worthy of literary analysis. He also clarifies that “devotional” poetry is not inspirational rhymes but verse that forces readers to reflect on weighty spiritual themes, awakens in them a deeper love for God, and ignites in them a desire to become more like Christ.
Thus, truly devotional poetry is not about setting a cozy mood, but about forcing us to devote our thoughts, our affections, and our actions toward Christ.
That said, this book is no mere coffee table collection. Its poems are heavy with meaning, crafted with intricacy, and invite a genuine—if not always comfortable—intimacy with the Lord. I would expect nothing less from professor and theologian, Leland Ryken, whose passion for theological creative writing shines through in his other books, such as A Christian Guide to the Classics and The Christian Imagination.
Strengths & Weaknesses
This collection is structured beautifully, making it sure to please long-time readers of poetry as well as those who are taking their first steps into the world of verse. Each poem is accompanied by notes on selected words and a brief commentary. The notes sections define words or phrases that might be unfamiliar to contemporary readers. The commentaries then provide background information and basic analyses to help readers engage each poem with greater understanding.
It’s been a while since I studied poetry—cue my dreamy flashbacks to reading Rilke in Scotland—so I appreciated the notes and commentaries. At the same time, I am thankful that Ryken did not overanalyze these poems. Instead, he allows readers ample space to engage the poems on their own. This book is perfectly designed for highlighting and marginalia. Readers can (and should) analyze the poems directly in the text. Even the weight of the paper is ideal for this—not too thin or glossy for ink!
I also appreciated the balance of poets Ryken chose to include. I was especially excited to see Emily Brontë’s magnificent “No Coward Soul is Mine” and enjoyed how he drew it into conversation with Emily Dickinson’s “I Never Saw a Moor.”
On that note, however, I was disappointed to see that Ryken cut several stanzas of “No Coward Soul is Mine.” It’s long been one of my favorites, so it saddens me that some readers may think this powerful cry against nihilism ends after a mere four stanzas. I also do think more of Emily Brontë’s work would have been worth including. While she only wrote one novel (Wuthering Heights), her poetry is as wild and beautiful as the moors of her homeland. (I admit that more pieces by female poets in general would have been a nice addition, but the balance seems fair on the whole.)
Recommendation & Purchase Information
The Soul in Paraphrase would make a wonderful gift for the poetry-lover in your life. Maybe that’s you and you’d like to buy this lovely book for yourself as a little treat with a lasting impact. In any case, The Soul in Paraphrase can be purchased using this link. It is meticulously compiled and marvelously designed book, sure to bring refreshment to your soul and elegance to your shelf.
Note: I received a copy of this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.
Ryanne Molinari 