How Precious Is the Book Divine
How precious is the book divine
How Precious Is the Book Divine is a hymn text by John Burton (1802) in C.M. meter. Found in CW93 284, ELH 232, lw 332, tlh 285. Sung to LIEBSTER JESU.
This hymn expresses the Lutheran conviction that Scripture is the authoritative source of divine truth and spiritual sustenance for believers. It reflects the Reformation emphasis on sola scriptura while celebrating the personal transformative power of God's written Word in daily Christian experience.
History & Background
Written by John Burton, an English Independent minister, in the early 19th century. The hymn became popular in English-speaking Protestant traditions and was included in various Lutheran hymnals including The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) where it appears as hymn 285.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship — 284
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 232
- Lutheran Worship — 332
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 285
Bulletin Note
Written by English hymnist John Burton in 1802, this Common Meter hymn reflects Reformation confidence in Scripture's sufficiency and authority. Burton crafted it to celebrate the Bible's dual capacity to convict and to comfort believers through the Spirit's work.
Preaching Connection
This hymn powerfully embodies the Reformation principle that Scripture reveals both God's holy demands and His merciful grace, making it an ideal accompaniment to any sermon exploring how the Law and Gospel work together to drive sinners toward Christ.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: from the demand of belief and baptism, through Christ's redemptive work and Spirit-empowered perseverance, to doxological assurance of eternal inheritance
Overview
A hymn on Holy Scripture by John Fawcett, the English Baptist pastor who wrote 'Blest Be the Tie That Binds.' Built on Psalm 119:105, it praises the inspired Book as a lamp to heaven (st. 1), whose light shows the Savior's love (st. 2), our wandering ways and God's forgiving grace (st. 3), which shines brightest at the end (st. 4), cheers drooping hearts (st. 5), and guides through life's night until eternal day (st. 6). St. 3 neatly shows Scripture's double word: Law ('shows to man his wandering ways') and Gospel ('the matchless grace of a forgiving God').
Central theme: The inspired Scripture as lamp and light, revealing sin and the Savior and guiding us to eternal day
Structure
Six common-meter quatrains. Inspiration (1) — the Savior's love (2) — Law and Gospel (3) — the narrow way (4) — comfort (5) — to eternal day (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
St. 3: Law ('shows to man his wandering ways') and Gospel ('the matchless grace of a forgiving God'). The rest is Gospel comfort.
Confessional Connections
'By inspiration given' — 2 Tim 3:16; Scripture as the 'only rule and norm' of doctrine (FC Epitome, Rule and Norm 1). Scripture's center is Christ: it 'displays a Savior's boundless love' (John 5:39). St. 3 states the two chief doctrines of Scripture, Law and Gospel (Ap IV.5; FC V). Scripture's comfort (Rom 15:4).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Bible Sunday; Reformation; confirmation; Christian education.
Historical Notes
Fawcett (1740-1817) published it in Hymns Adapted to the Circumstances of Public Worship (1782).
About the Tune
WALDER (Johann J. Walder, 1788).
Scripture References
Ps 119:105 2 Tim 3:15-17 2 Pet 1:19-21 John 5:39 Luke 24:27 Rom 3:20 Rom 7:7 Rom 1:16-17 Matt 7:13-14 Prov 4:18 Rom 15:4 Ps 119:50 Rev 22:5
Stanza by Stanza
How precious is the divine Book, given by inspiration! Its teachings shine like a lamp to guide our souls to heaven.
Ps 119:105 (TLH's text): 'Your word is a lamp to my feet.' 'All Scripture is breathed out by God' (2 Tim 3:16); it is 'able to make you wise for salvation' (2 Tim 3:15). Its 'doctrines' — the teaching of Scripture is the norm (FC Rule and Norm).
- Scripture
- Ps 119:105, 2 Tim 3:15-17, 2 Pet 1:21
- Imagery & language
- Book Divine; inspiration; lamp.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Scripture's guidance.
- Connection to previous
- Inspired Book.
Its light, coming down from above to cheer our dark world, shows the boundless love of a Savior and brings his glories near.
Scripture's light comes 'from above' — God's Word, not human wisdom. Its center is Christ: 'it is they that bear witness about me' (John 5:39; Luke 24:27).
- Scripture
- John 5:39, Luke 24:27, 2 Cor 4:6
- Imagery & language
- Descending light; Savior's love.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ in Scripture.
- Connection to previous
- Savior's love.
It shows man his wandering ways and where his feet have walked, and brings into view the matchless grace of a forgiving God.
Scripture's two words: Law — 'through the law comes knowledge of sin' (Rom 3:20; 7:7); Gospel — 'the righteousness of God is revealed' (Rom 1:16-17). Ap IV.5: 'All Scripture should be divided into these two chief doctrines, the Law and the promises.'
- Scripture
- Rom 3:20, Rom 7:7, Rom 1:16-17, Isa 53:6
- Imagery & language
- Wandering ways; forgiving grace.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — wandering; Gospel — forgiveness.
- Connection to previous
- Law and Gospel.
Its shining beams fall across the whole straight and narrow way — a light whose never-tiring ray grows brightest at the end.
The narrow way (Matt 7:13-14). 'The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day' (Prov 4:18) — the Word's comfort is greatest at death.
- Scripture
- Matt 7:13-14, Prov 4:18
- Imagery & language
- Narrow way; brightest at the last.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — light to the end.
- Connection to previous
- The way.
It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts in this dark vale of tears; it still gives life, light and joy and calms our rising fears.
'Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through… the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope' (Rom 15:4). 'This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life' (Ps 119:50).
- Scripture
- Rom 15:4, Ps 119:50, Ps 84:6
- Imagery & language
- Drooping hearts; vale of tears.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — comfort.
- Connection to previous
- Comfort.
This lamp will guide our way through all the long night of life until we see the clearer light of an eternal day.
'A lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns' (2 Pet 1:19). In heaven 'they need no light of lamp' (Rev 22:5) — we will see face to face.
- Scripture
- 2 Pet 1:19, Rev 22:5, 1 Cor 13:12
- Imagery & language
- Lamp; night; eternal day.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — to eternal day.
- Connection to previous
- Eternal day.
Themes
Scripture authority Word of God Spiritual nourishment Divine guidance Bible study