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You Bring the Hymnal,  I'll bring the History
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Some hymn writers were ordinary people who loved to sing.  Edwin Hodder
(1837-1904), who wrote, "Thy Word is Like a Garden, Lord," spent his early
years working in New Zealand.  He was conducting research among the Maori
aborigines.  Later he became a civil servant in England.  "Thy Word is Like
a Garden, Lord," first compares the Bible to a garden full of lovely flowers
that brings delight with every glance.  It is also like a "deep, deep mine"
containing jewels.  These jewels cannot be picked up by just strolling
through the mine but must be dug out - long and careful study - perhaps
using some mining tools:  dictionaries, and commentaries.  Lastly, the Bible
is like an armonary where weapons for the warfare against sin and the devil
are kept.

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Thy Word is like a garden, Lord, with flowers bright and fair;
And every one who seeks may pluck a lovely cluster there.
Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine; and jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in its mighty depths for every searcher there.

Thy Word is like a starry host: a thousand rays of light
Are seen to guide the traveler, and make his pathway bright.
Thy Word is like an armory, where soldiers may repair,
And find, for life's long battle-day, all needful weapons there.

O may I love Thy precious Word, may I explore the mine,
May I its fragrant flowers glean, may light upon me shine.
O may I find my armour there, Thy Word my trusty sword;
I'll learn to fight with every foe the battle of the Lord.
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