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Illustrated Poetry, Prose, and Praise
A Treasury of Nature: Illustrated Poetry, Prose, and Praise
A beautiful 40-day illustrated devotional of classic literature.
Calvin, Spurgeon, and Luther appear alongside Wordsworth, Twain, and Emerson in a vibrant celebration of God's creation. Ryken joins great works of poetry, hymnody, prose, and art with accessible literary analysis.
Calvin, Spurgeon, and Luther appear alongside Wordsworth, Twain, and Emerson in a vibrant celebration of God's creation. Ryken joins great works of poetry, hymnody, prose, and art with accessible literary analysis.
176 pages, Paperback
Published October 30, 2024
11 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Leland Ryken
108 books142 followersDr. Ryken has served on the faculty of Wheaton College since 1968. He has published over thirty books and more than one hundred articles and essays, devoting much of his scholarship to Bible translations and the study of the Bible as literature. He served as Literary Chairman for the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible and in 2003 received the distinguished Gutenberg Award for his contributions to education, writing, and the understanding of the Bible.
He is the father of Philip Graham Ryken
He is the father of Philip Graham Ryken
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 21, 2025
A great collection of hymns, psalms, and poems on nature. Ryken’s commentary, which helps you see and enjoy these pieces more, is of great value. The two passages below are good examples:
“we long for beauty, for life, for permanence, and for something that, while unnamed, is associated with transcendence. God has created us to long for something we cannot possess in this world, and not infrequently this longing is awakened by our golden moments in nature.”
“The term paradise is derived from a Persian word for an enclosed royal garden. It most immediately evokes our sense of nature, though of course it also describes a state of spiritual perfection. And because the original Paradise was irrevocably lost, we further look on it as an object of nostalgia. Such nostalgia can lead to escapism or paralysis, but it can just as well be a part of psychic and emotional health. We need strong, positive images from the past to remind us that God did not create us to be weighed down by the misery that frequently surrounds us. If Paradise is thus a memory, it is also an image of hope—an ideal toward which we can aspire, and one that we can sometimes attain, in our daily lives. Paradise is also an image of longing, and a leading purpose of literature is to awaken longing in us.”
“we long for beauty, for life, for permanence, and for something that, while unnamed, is associated with transcendence. God has created us to long for something we cannot possess in this world, and not infrequently this longing is awakened by our golden moments in nature.”
“The term paradise is derived from a Persian word for an enclosed royal garden. It most immediately evokes our sense of nature, though of course it also describes a state of spiritual perfection. And because the original Paradise was irrevocably lost, we further look on it as an object of nostalgia. Such nostalgia can lead to escapism or paralysis, but it can just as well be a part of psychic and emotional health. We need strong, positive images from the past to remind us that God did not create us to be weighed down by the misery that frequently surrounds us. If Paradise is thus a memory, it is also an image of hope—an ideal toward which we can aspire, and one that we can sometimes attain, in our daily lives. Paradise is also an image of longing, and a leading purpose of literature is to awaken longing in us.”
October 19, 2025
Each selected poem, hymn, or Bible passage describes nature. Art is also interspersed. The readings were lovely. There is an analysis that follows every reading which is more academic than my taste. I recommend reading this book a little at a time.
March 4, 2025
This is a stunning anthology where poetry, prose, art, and scripture are all beautifully woven together around the theme of nature. Each piece of classic literature is thoughtfully paired with commentary that offers a rich blend of devotional insight and literary analysis, allowing for a reading experience that engages both the heart and mind.
I loved how this book invites the reader to pause, reflect, and truly appreciate the natural world surrounding us. In doing so, our hearts are filled with adoration for the Master Creator, whose artistry unveils itself wherever we turn our gaze.
As someone who was fascinated by Nature Writing and Ecocriticism during my undergraduate studies at Oxford, I found this anthology to be an absolute treasure! I was reminded of how great literature in this genre has the ability to open our eyes to the beauty and wonder of nature: a precious gift.
This book is perfect for you if:
🌷You enjoy poetry.
🌾 You wish to instill a love for art, literature, and nature in your children.
🪷 You’re looking to refresh your connection with God through His magnificent creation.
I received a gift copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved how this book invites the reader to pause, reflect, and truly appreciate the natural world surrounding us. In doing so, our hearts are filled with adoration for the Master Creator, whose artistry unveils itself wherever we turn our gaze.
As someone who was fascinated by Nature Writing and Ecocriticism during my undergraduate studies at Oxford, I found this anthology to be an absolute treasure! I was reminded of how great literature in this genre has the ability to open our eyes to the beauty and wonder of nature: a precious gift.
This book is perfect for you if:
🌷You enjoy poetry.
🌾 You wish to instill a love for art, literature, and nature in your children.
🪷 You’re looking to refresh your connection with God through His magnificent creation.
I received a gift copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 5, 2025
In A Treasury of Nature, Leland Ryken writes a beautiful 40-day illustrated devotional of classic literature.
This book provides commentary and insight to the works of William Wordsworth, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Jonathan Edwards, and more. Alongside full-color illustrations, it is is a work of art. Ryken’s words are wise and inspiring. They will stir your heart to see God in seasons and in Scripture.
Encounter God
I learned that the theologically rich hymn I Sing the Mighty Power of God by Isaac Watts was composed specifically for children. I wondered at how our enjoyment of the theatrical performance of nature, as captured by Calvin, will channel itself into worship of the One who creates and directs this display. Helped by Spurgeon, I discovered how we can bring passages from the Bible to mind as we encounter nature in our daily lives.
This book will open your eyes to God’s world, and open the eyes of your heart to his word. You will hear him in nature and you will hear him in Scripture. You will feel him in the breeze, and you will feel the Spirit in your soul.
I received a media copy of A Treasury of Nature and this is my honest review.
This book provides commentary and insight to the works of William Wordsworth, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Jonathan Edwards, and more. Alongside full-color illustrations, it is is a work of art. Ryken’s words are wise and inspiring. They will stir your heart to see God in seasons and in Scripture.
Encounter God
I learned that the theologically rich hymn I Sing the Mighty Power of God by Isaac Watts was composed specifically for children. I wondered at how our enjoyment of the theatrical performance of nature, as captured by Calvin, will channel itself into worship of the One who creates and directs this display. Helped by Spurgeon, I discovered how we can bring passages from the Bible to mind as we encounter nature in our daily lives.
This book will open your eyes to God’s world, and open the eyes of your heart to his word. You will hear him in nature and you will hear him in Scripture. You will feel him in the breeze, and you will feel the Spirit in your soul.
I received a media copy of A Treasury of Nature and this is my honest review.
February 19, 2025
4.5 - this collection of poetry, prose, and scripture all depicting a Biblical view of Nature was such a fulfilling journey. Opening me up to poetry on something I love and find meaning in was a new experience for me and helped me see why poetry is so needed in our lives. The design of this book matched the quality of the writing. Beautiful and would recommend!
July 16, 2025
love, love, LOVE. nature, art, beautiful words…will be one of my go-to gift books for sure.
October 31, 2025
A beautiful and reflective compilation. My only regret is not reading it during the spring—would have been the perfect season!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews