Poetic Literature of the Bible

The study of the poetic literature of the Bible is a single of the most rewarding endeavors in biblical hermeneutics. Psalms, Proverbs, The Song of Solomon, considerably of Job and Ecclesiastes are all examples of Hebrew poetry. Poems and songs are sprinkled all through the Old Testament books of history and prophecy. A appropriate Being aware of of the principles behind interpreting biblical poetry is vital if 1 is to love the added benefits of those Hebrew sonnets. They are jewels of theology set on fire by Hebrew creativity.

"Poetry to the modern day thoughts and in the English language is mostly a matter of meter and rhyming. This is not correct of biblical poetry. While a poem in Hebrew may perhaps have components of meter, these components are not the important qualities. Rather, the distinguishing mark of Hebrew poetry is a a correspondence in thought, or parallelism, involving one particular line and the following line; or amongst 1 section and the following section. That is pretty valuable certainly, for it suggests that the poetic kind of the Old Testament is pretty much completely accessible to us in the English language."one particular

R. C. Sproul says, ". . . there are 3 standard types of parallelism: synonymous, antithetic and synthetic."two

Synonymous parallelism signifies that distinctive lines or components of the passage present the similar thought in a slightly unique way (Proverbs 14:13). Proverbs 14:13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

Do you see that the topic is sorrow of the heart even when the sorrowful heart laughs? The second part of the verse is synonymous with the initially for the reason that it says that the end of such mirth is itself heaviness.

When a verse has antithetic parallelism the 2 components are set in contrast to a single a further (Proverbs 14:12). KJV Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth proper unto a man, but the end thereof are the strategies of death.

Man's approaches seem ideal to him....but the end of man's strategies are death itself. Though man's way appears correct it is pretty incorrect. The 1st part is antithetical to the second part.

Synthetic parallelism is when the initially part of the passage creates a sense of expectation which is completed by the second part. There is progression of data (Psalm 92:9). KJV Psalm 92:9 For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.

The initial part of the verse declares that the topic of discussion is the enemies of the Lord. The second part of the verse adds information and facts and tells us that they will perish and that they all will be scattered.three

It is vital to recognize poetry for what it is. It is not narrative. It is not telling a story in a narrative kind. It is rather a effective way to publish truth. It catches the eye and captures the imagination. That is what poetry is supposed to do. In biblical terms, it is not for entertainment or to show the poetic gifts of the writer. It is offered to create wonderful truths about God and mankind in an imaginative way.

one. Robertson McQuilkin. Recognizing and Applying the Bible (Chicago: Moody Press, 1942) 199.

two. R. C. Sproul. Being aware of Scripture (Downers Grove Illinois: Intervarsity Press,1977), 85.

three. Sproul., 85

Dr. Morrow is pastor of the Union Baptist Church in Western Kentucky. For far more sources go to [http://www.breakingthebreadministries.com]