A poem from the other side of the world

I Want to Live in Your Word

The poet at right comes from Kyrgyzstan. Her people are proud of their poetry and she is using poetry to express her love for Christ. We met her at the LittWorld conference in Singapore where she shared the poem below with us, and we now share it with you. Many years ago, I visited her country, but found no Christians of Kyrgyz heritage. What a joy to meet her now and hear of her heart for God's Word.

In your word I find my utmost delight.

I want to honor it's great worth aright.

Let me forever live within your word.

Pressed into it, may it and I unite.

I find with your word sweet wisdom's light.

Your holy word is my source of advice.

I long to train myself to every mind

Your word's instructions and decrees outright.

In your word only meaning do I find

From its vast stores is heaven's knowledge mined.

On your word do I meditate each day

To within your word is my design.

Into your word my being longs to dive.

To be forever into it entwined.

Discerning heaven's righteousness from sin

Through what I gather written down within.

Examining your word each night and day,

May it forever over me hold sway.

And may my sin be driven far away.

May I forever in your dear word stay.

That I may understand all of your word,

Let naught be it within my ear be heard.

Examining, inquiring from its depths,

Your word before me spread; let me sleep sure.

Lord, let me grasp your word and hold it fast.

And never let it be from my heart cast.

Forever only holding to your word, 

Let me my weaknesses correct at last.

Reading your word and with it spending time,

Within me rise up feelings so sublime.

You are my perfect Lord on High and God.

I hold you as the pattern of my rhyme.

May your word only lead me and direct.

May I, with utmost honor and respect,

In righteousness and justice ever live

Let me not any word of yours neglect.