The poem celebrates the gemstones mentioned in the Bible, weaving their vivid imagery into a spiritual narrative. It begins with Eden’s bdellium and gold, symbolizing divine creation. It then describes Aaron’s breastplate, adorned with twelve gemstones representing Israel’s tribes, each stone—sardius, topaz, emerald, and others—evoking sacred vows and divine judgment. The poem shifts to the fallen king of Tyre, once adorned with similar gems, symbolizing pride’s downfall. Finally, it portrays the New Jerusalem’s foundations, gates of pearl, and twelve gemstones like jasper and amethyst, reflecting eternal glory and redemption. The poem concludes by linking these gems to God’s wisdom and grace, enduring as reflections of divine truth.

In Eden’s dawn, where rivers four did part,
A river Pison kissed the land of Havilah’s heart—
There bdellium gleamed, a milky drop divine,
And gold, pure as the sun’s unclouded shine.
From earth’s deep womb, these treasures God did pour,
Whispers of glory from creation’s core. 0

Then came the priest, high Aaron, robed in light,
His breastplate borne, a shield ‘gainst endless night.
Twelve tribes enshrined in jewels, row on row,
Each stone a vow, where sacred judgments flow.
Sardius first, blood-red as dawn’s fierce cry,
Topaz aglow like heaven’s amber sky;
Carbuncle blazed, a flame in emerald’s keep,
Emerald green as Eden’s valleys deep.
Sapphire blue, the throne’s eternal sea,
Diamond’s pure spark, unyielding as decree;
Ligure’s soft hue, a hyacinth’s sweet call,
Agate veined like mercy’s winding hall.
Amethyst purple, wine of promised rest,
Beryl’s clear gaze, the east wind’s faithful quest;
Onyx dark, etched with names of the elect,
Jasper’s warm earth, where faithful feet connect.
Bound in gold settings, these gems did gleam,
Oracles of God in a woven dream. 1 2

In Tyre’s proud king, once cherub of the flame,
The stones of fire adorned his rebel frame—
Sardius and diamond, beryl’s verdant fire,
Onyx and jasper, sapphire’s deep desire;
Emerald and carbuncle, topaz bright as day,
Chrysolite’s gold, chrysoprase in array.
Yet pride’s dark shadow felled that radiant host,
From mountain holy, to the dust he lost. 4 9

And lo, in visions of the age to come,
John saw the city, New Jerusalem.
Its walls twelve-layered, foundations fair and grand,
Each gate a pearl, each base a gemstone’s band.
Jasper’s foundation, clear as crystal stream,
Sapphire’s vast blue, an endless, holy dream;
Chalcedony’s milk, agate’s banded grace,
Emerald’s fresh hope lighting every face.
Sardonyx striped in dawn’s victorious hue,
Sardius bold, where martyrs’ blood rings true;
Chrysolite gleams like stars in midday’s throne,
Beryl’s sea-green, where living waters flow.
Topaz imperial, chrysoprase’s bloom,
Jacinth’s fierce orange, dispelling every gloom;
Amethyst’s royal calm, the final, perfect seal—
Gates of pearl ajar, where wounds of earth shall heal. 3 6

Oh, gems of Scripture, born of fire and flood,
You speak of wisdom, sealed in Savior’s blood.
From breastplate’s oracle to city’s endless light,
You mirror grace through the eternal night.
More precious far than ruby’s fleeting fire, 8
These stones endure, fulfilling heaven’s choir—
In every facet, God’s own face we see,
The great I Am, in jewel and decree.