The Christian Book of Mystical Verse

The Christian Book of Mystical Verse is a collection of devotional poetry curated by A.W. Tozer, featuring works from both well-known and lesser-known Christian writers across multiple centuries. The anthology contains verses focused on deep spiritual experience and communion with God. The selections span from the early church period through the mid-20th century, including works by John Newton, Charles Wesley, Frederick William Faber, and Jeanne Guyon. Tozer organized the poems into themes such as the Divine Presence, the Holy Spirit, and worship, creating a resource for both personal meditation and corporate worship. The poems reflect Christian mysticism's emphasis on direct experience with the divine, moving beyond intellectual understanding to spiritual union. Through this compilation, Tozer presents a view of Christian spirituality that embraces both theological depth and emotional connection.

Readers describe this collection as a devotional compilation of Christian poetry and hymns focused on deeper spiritual experiences. Reviews emphasize Tozer's careful curation of verses that express mystical communion with God. Readers appreciated: - The mix of well-known and obscure Christian poets - Organized thematic sections that build on each other - Inclusion of both ancient and modern works - Quality of the poetry selections themselves Common criticisms: - Some found the language dated and hard to understand - A few readers wanted more context about the poets - Limited availability of physical copies Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (116 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (168 ratings) Notable review quote: "This book introduced me to Frederick Faber and many other poets I'd never encountered. The selections are deep and profound." - Goodreads reviewer "The poems draw you into worship naturally and without forcing it." - Amazon reviewer

The Valley of Vision by Arthur Bennett A collection of Puritan prayers and devotions that expresses similar contemplative themes and deep spiritual yearnings found in mystical Christian verse.

A Testament of Devotion by Thomas R. Kelly The writings combine Quaker spirituality with mystical insights and meditations on divine presence in daily life.

The Poetry of Saint John of the Cross by Saint John of the Cross These poems capture the essence of Christian mysticism through metaphorical verses about the soul's journey toward union with God.

Hymns of the Early Church by John Brownlie This translation of ancient Christian hymns presents the devotional and mystical elements of early church worship through poetic expression.

The Oxford Book of Christian Verse by Lord David Cecil This compilation spans centuries of Christian poetry and mystical verse from medieval times through the modern era with works from both well-known and lesser-known spiritual poets.

🔹 A.W. Tozer compiled this collection without any formal theological training - he was largely self-taught through intense study and prayer, having left school after the eighth grade to help support his family. 🔹 Despite being a compilation of mystical verse, Tozer was known to be wary of emotional excess in worship, believing that true mysticism should be grounded in Biblical truth rather than pure feeling. 🔹 The poems in this collection span several centuries of Christian thought, including works from both Catholic and Protestant traditions, showing Tozer's remarkable ability to bridge denominational divisions. 🔹 Many of the verses included were written by poets who experienced severe persecution or hardship, such as Madame Guyon, who spent years in prison for her religious beliefs. 🔹 Before collecting these verses, Tozer spent hours each day in prayer in his church's furnace room, which he called his "prayer tower" - a practice that deeply influenced his selection of mystical works for this anthology.