---
title: 'W.S. Rentoul’s “The Bible”'
type: post
author: 'R. Andrew Myers'
date: 2021-06-20
url: https://confessional.org/blog/2021-w-s-rentouls-the-bible
---

# W.S. Rentoul’s “The Bible”

Described as “an odd-looking character, a Scotchman by birth,” [William Skinner Rentoul](/authors/william-skinner-rentoul) (1812-1898) was a Philadelphia bookseller, publisher, writer and poet of the old school Presbyterian variety. He is best known for publishing both the [Keys Psalter](/blog/2020-the-keys-psalter) and Rentoul’s Library of Standard Bible Expositions, which includes some notable commentaries: 1. Ralph Wardlaw, *Lectures: Expository and Practical, on the Book of Ecclesiastes* (1868); 2. Alexander Moody Stuart, *The Song of Songs: An Exposition of the Song of Solomon* (1869); and 3. George Lawson, *Practical Expositions of the Whole Books of Ruth and Esther* (1870). He was also the author of a metrical version of the Song of Solomon, appended to Stuart’s commentary on the same.

Today we highlight a poetic composition he published in 1862. It is a sweet meditation on the Word of Life, and a reminder of what a precious gift the Lord has given unto us.

**The Bible**

> O, rarest gift to mortals given!
> Blest book! thou point’st the path to heaven.
> The sinner, lost in darkness drear,
> Heart-sick thro’ sin, whose eye the tear
> Of anguish scalds, thro’ griefs and woes
> That fill the poisoned cup of those
> On whose soul rests, with weighty load,
> The wrath of an offended God,
> That takes thy sweet and kindly light
> For guide, shall still be led aright;
> Shall find Jehovah’s angry face
> To favour changed. His smiles shall grace
> His earthly labours: and at last, —
> Eternal life, eternal rest —
> Purchased by Jesus for his own;
> For all who love that Holy One,
> And wait His glorious coming - his cup of bliss shall crown.