The Poor in Spirit

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3

A beggar crouching down in need,

Downcast and desperate,*

Who only can for mercy plead

From Holy God so separate -

This is the way He bids us come,

And yet we leave upright;

For only when we are undone

Can we see Heaven’s light. **

 

Humility with no pretense

Of what we have to offer

Knows that at solely Christ’s expense

The kingdom’s wealth is proffered.

Shun not to own this poverty,

To freely admit need;

For one whose heart’s a bended knee,

Blessedness has been decreed.

*This word picture from the definition of the Greek word for poor (ptochos).

**Luke 18:9-14