Christopher Smart’s ‘A Song To David’ An Explication

This unique interpretation of Christopher Smart’s masterpiece begins with a biography which offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of Christopher Smart, an extraordinary poet who died in an insane asylum all but abandoned by family and friends. Convinced that the current names of the days of the week should be changed to words that represent the true God of the universe, Smart chose seven Greek letters which are references to Christ. Scholars and critics have attempted to explain these letters, but none have apprehended Smart’s purpose which was “to preach the very gospel of Christ.” Herein Strong explains the reason for and meaning of these chosen Greek letters and their relation to the whole.

Born in Preston, England, and raised in London, Hilda Strong (1924-2017) emigrated to the USA in 1946. She was a wife and mother, elementary teacher and later college professor, active Seventh day-Adventist church member, and founder of the English War Brides’ Club in Lewiston, Idaho. Hilda earned her English Literature Ph.D. in 1980 with a 4.0 GPA, having won the highest awards and honors from all colleges and universities she attended.