Remembering the Books of the Bible

Once upon a time everybody knew the names of all the books of the Bible by heart. At least, that was how it seemed in my young days. It was essential to know all the main books and in what order they came, for our Bible studies involved looking up references from one scripture to another. Admittedly, if there was a reference to one of the minor prophets there might be some scratching of heads and turning of pages, but everyone knew their way about the scriptures. To help us as children learn the names of the books in order, they were set to a tune - it was certainly more fun to learn this way. Some of you may remember doing it in Sunday school.

It still happens. I recently came across a version set to a tune (which was not quite the same as I remembered it). Just in case any of our readers cannot remember all the books of the Bible off pat, we print it here. (If you do not need it, perhaps you can teach it to the children!)

Old Testament

Set to the tune Hursley, which is 'Sun of my soul' in some hymn books You may need some practice in fitting the words into each line

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges and Ruth,
Samuel, Samuel, Kings, Kings and Chronicles,
2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.

Job, Psalms and Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon,
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel,
Daniel, Hosea, Joel and Amos,
Obadiah, Jonah, then Micah and Nahum
(repeating last two lines)
Habakkuk, Zephaniah and Haggai,
then Zechariah and ending with Malachi.

New Testament

You might try this to 'Onward Christian soldiers'. Warning, it's very tricky.

Matthew, Mark and Luke and John,
Acts, Romans, two of Corinthians, (you have to sing 'Acts' very quickly)
Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians, two of Thessalonians,
Timothy, Timothy, Titus,
Philemon, Hebrews, James,
Peter, Peter, John, John, John,
Jude and the Revelation
(chorus) Onward Christian students
Learning every day
Memorise the Scriptures
And you'll find the Way.

A more logical way of remembering where to find a book, is to think in what section of scripture it comes, for example:

Does it belong to: (OT) - Books of Moses - History - Poetry - Prophecy (NT) Gospels & Acts - Paul's letters - other letters - Revelation

Over to you!