The Poetical Books

1
The Poetical Books

• Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song
  of Solomon. They dont relate historical
  experiences. Rather they relate the experiences
  of heart.
• Unlike the Pentateuch and twelve historical
  books, the poetical books do not advance the
  story of the nation Israel. Instead, they delve
  deeply into crucial questions about pain, God,
  wisdom, life, and loveall in the present tense.

2
Introduction Poetical Books

• Three Kinds of Poetry
• 1. Lyric Poetry (ex. Psalms)
• 2. Didactic Poetry (ex. Proverbs ,
  Ecclesiastes)
• 3. Dramatic Poetry ( Job, Song of Solomon)

3
Poetry Introduction ...Continues....

• Two Key Elements of Hebrew Poetry
• 1. Parallelism
• 2. Figures of Speech
• Hebrew poetry is characterized by vivid figures
  of speech

4
Poetry Introduction Continues...

• Parallelism
• A. Synonymous The thought of the first line is
  basically repeated in different words in the
  second line (Psalms 24 31 717)
• B. Antithetical The thought of the first line
  is emphasized by a contrasting thought in the
  second line (Psalms 16 3410). They are often
  identified with but.

5
Poetry Introduction Continues...

• Parallelism
• C. Synthetic - The second line explains or
  further develops the idea of the first line (Ps
  13 953).
• D. Climatic - The second line repeats with the
  exception of the Last terms (Psalms 291).
• E. Emblematic - One line conveys the main point,
  the second line illuminates it by an image
  (Psalms 421 231).

6
Poetry Introduction .... Continues....

• Figures of Speech
• 1. Simile (Ps. 1 3-4)
• 2. Metaphor (Ps. 231)
• 3. Implication ( Ps. 2216, Jer. 47)
• 4. Hyperbole- The use of exaggeration to
  emphasize a point (Ps. 66 7827 10726).
• 5. Rhetorical Questions (Ps. 3510, 568, 946
  1062).

7
Poetry Introduction ..... Continues

• 6. Metonymy (ps.59 182 579 739)
• 7. Anthropomorphism - Assigning an
  appropriate part of human body to Gods Person to
  convey some truth about God. (Ps. 114 1815
  312 328)
• 8. Zoomorphism (Ps 178 367 637 914)
• 9. Personification Assigning the
  characteristics of a human to lifeless objects
  (Ps 3510 7716 9611, 10419).
• 10. Apostrophe Addressing lifeless objects (Ps
  1145.

8
Poetry Introduction Continues....

• Another technique in Hebrew Poetry is the
  Alphabetic acrostic the first Hebrew letter in
  a line is the first letter of the alphabet, the
  second is the second letter of the alphabet, and
  so on.
• There are also three books of wisdom within the
  poets Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes.

9
JOB

• Theme Blessings through suffering
• Date Written 2000 1800 B.C.
• Author Unknown ...
• Setting Land of Uz

10
Job - Introduction

• The book of Job is considered by many Bible
  scholars to be the oldest book in the Bible. Job
  probably lived during the same time period as
  Abraham. Like Abraham, Job is a wealthy and
  upright man who fears God.
• The Book begins with a heavenly debate between
  God and Satan, moves through three cycles of
  earthly debates between Job and his friends, and
  concludes with a dramatic divine diagnosis of
  Jobs problem.

11
Job Introduction Continues...

• In the end, job acknowledges the sovereignty of
  God in his life and receives back more than he
  had before his trials.
• Iyyob is the Hebrew title for the book. It could
  be derived from the Hebrew word for persecution,
  it means Persecuted one.

12
Some Sources of Suffering

• The fall of man Genesis 316-19
• The consequences of your sins Galatians 67
• The sins of others Genesis 3726-28
• Unavoidable consequences Luke 1030
• Unavoidable disaster Luke 131-5
• Consequences of your beliefs Philippians 129
  2 Timothy 312
• Gods Plan greater Plan Job 11 213

13
Life lessons from Job

• Spiritual affairs are going on in heaven that you
  know nothing about.
• Life issues cannot always be understood in human
  terms
• Gods people do suffer. Bad things do happen to
  good people.
• You cannot always judge a persons spirituality
  by his or her pain or prosperity.
• God always has a reason for what you are asked to
  endure.
• Suffering should improve your worship as you draw
  closer to God and His comfort.

14
Survey of Job

• Chapters 1 -2 The Dilemma of Job
• (Controversy between God and Satan)
• Chapters 4 37 The Debates of Job
• (3 cycles of Debate and the final Defense of Job)
• Chapters 38 to 42 The Deliverance of Job
• (Controversy of God and Job)

15
PSALMS

• Theme Praise
• Date Written 1410 450 B.C.
• Author Various authors
• Setting Heaven and Earth.

16
Psalms - Introduction

• The Psalms are poetic expressions of human and
  religious feeling, and are divided into five
  books that comprise a total of 150 individual
  psalms. The Psalms span the ten centuries from
  Moses to the days after the Jewish peoples
  exile.
• They consist of a wide variety of styles and
  purposes and emotions, such as lament,
  thanksgiving, praise, worship, pilgrimage,
  petition, and penitence.

17
Psalms Introduction Continues...

• The Book of Psalms is the largest and perhaps
  most widely used book in the Bible.
• The Psalms were set to the accompaniment of
  stringed instruments served as the Temple
  hymnbook and devotional guide for the Jewish
  people.

18
Major Contributors of the Psalms
19
Psalms - Book One (Psalms 1 -41)

• David is designated as being the author of almost
  half of the Psalms (73 of the 150 Psalms). He
  authored all the Psalms in this first book.
  Davids wide range of experience as a shepherd,
  musician, warrior, and king are reflected in his
  psalms. The Psalms in this book are basically
  songs of praise and worship. The most
  well-known psalm in this section is Psalm 23,
  which begins with the familiar and well- loved
  word, The LORD is my shepherd (Psalms 231)

20
Psalms Book Two (Psalms 42-72)

• David and sons of Korah ( a group of singers and
  composers) account for most of the psalms in book
  two. Most of the Psalms in this grouping are
  hymns of national interest and describe Gods
  nature and His judgment of the wicked and the
  deliverance of the righteous. Davids public
  song of repentance after his sinful affair with
  Bathsheba is located in this section. In it
  David cries out, have mercy upon me, O God,
  according to Your lovingkindness (Psalm 511).
  These Psalms help us reserve a sense of wonder
  and thankfulness toward God in our worship.

21
Psalms Book Three (Psalms 73-89)

• Asaph was appointed by David as leader of one the
  temple choirs (1 Chronicles 251), and is the
  author of the majority of the Psalms in this
  section. This book of songs celebrate the
  sovereignty of God, Gods hand in history, His
  faithfulness, and covenant with David. These
  psalms remind us that the worship of our great
  God should be continual. The Psalmist declared,
  I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever
  with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness
  to all generations (Psalms 891).

22
Psalms Book Four (Psalms 90-106)

• Although five of these psalms are attributed to
  David, most of them were written anonymously.
  Primarily these psalms are anthems of praise and
  reflection, and prayer by Moses is the opening
  psalm in this section. Moses reminds us that our
  time on this earth is limited and we are to use
  it wisely. He tells us to number our days, that
  we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 9012).

23
Psalms Book Five (Psalms 107 150)

• Many of these psalms attributed to David, and
  many are anthems of praise. They exalt Gods
  works, recount the blessings of righteous living,
  and the longest psalm (Psalm 119) praises God for
  His wonderful Word. The poetry in this book
  reminds us that the most perfect sacrifice we can
  offer to God is a faithful and Obedient life.

24
Life lessons from the Psalms

• The Psalms give you a better understanding of
  God.
• The Psalms can guide you in your ongoing
  relationship with God.
• The Psalms are a source of comfort in times of
  pain and distress.
• The Psalms remind you often of Gods control over
  all things.
• The Psalms provide a model for praise and worship.

25
PROVERBS

• Theme Practical wisdom
• Date Written 971 681 B.C.
• Author Primarily Solomon
• Setting Everyday Life

26
Proverbs - Introduction

• While David is the author of a majority of the
  Psalms, his son, Solomon, is the author of most
  of the book of Proverbs.
• The Book of Proverbs is the most practical book
  in the Old Testament because it gives simple
  illustrations and insights about the basic
  realities of everyday life.
• The book of Proverbs is meant to be to your
  practical life what the book of Psalms is to your
  devotional life.

27
Proverbs Introduction Continues...

• The key word in Proverbs is wisdom, the ability
  to live life skillfully.
• Proverbs provides Gods detailed instruction for
  His people to deal successfully with the
  practical affairs of everyday life how to relate
  to God, parents, children, neighbours, and
  government.
• According to First Kings 432, he spoke 3000
  proverbs and 1,005 songs. Only about 800 of his
  3000 proverbs are included in the two Solomonic
  collections in this book.

28
Proverbs Introduction Continues...

• Who are the contributors of Proverbs?
• 1. Solomon
• 2. Proverbs of Solomon Copied by Hezekiahs Men
  (251 2927.
• 3. Agur (30)
• 4. Lemuel (31)

29
Survey of Proverbs

• Purpose of Proverbs 11 -17
• Proverbs to Youth 18 918
• Proverbs of Solomon 101 2434
• Proverbs of Solomon (Hezekiah) 251 2927
• Words of Agur 301 - 3033
• Words of Lemuel 311 3131

30
Life Lessons from Proverbs

• Chose Gods ways. He will lead you into making
  right decisions.
• Chose your words carefully. They reveal your
  inner character.
• Chose to work diligently. God will be honored,
  and you will profit and gain skills in your
  labors.
• Chose your friends carefully. They are a
  reflection of you.
• Chose to develop moral character and devotion to
  God. This is success in Gods eyes.

31
ECCLESIASTES

• Theme All is vanity apart from God.
• Date Written 940 - 931 B.C.
• Author Solomon
• Setting The end of Solomons life

32
Ecclesiastes - Introduction

• This book is an autobiography written by King
  Solomon at the end of his life after he strayed
  away from God.
• Ecclesiastes is a profound recording an intense
  search by the Preacher for meaning and
  satisfaction in life.
• The Key word in Ecclesiastes is vanity, the
  futile emptiness of trying to be happy apart from
  God.

33
Life lessons Ecclesiastes

• All your activities in life should be seen and
  measured in the light of eternity.
• Nothing in this life will bring true meaning and
  happinessnot wealth, fame, pleasure, or success.
  Only in God can you find real fulfllment.
• There is much less that you can depend on than
  you might think!
• True happiness comes only from obedience to God.

34
Survey of Ecclesiastes

• The Thesis that All Is Vanity
• (11-11)
• The Proof that All Is Vanity (112 - 612)
• The counsel for Living with Vanity (71 - 1214)

35
SONG OF SOLOMON

• Theme Love and Marriage
• Date Written 971 965 B.C.
• Author Solomon
• Setting Early in Solomons reign

36
Song of Solomon - Introduction

• Song of Solomon is a love song written by Solomon
  (11) and abounding in metaphors and oriental
  imagery. Historically, it depicts the wooing
  and wedding of a shepherdess by King Solomon, and
  the joys and heartaches of wedded love.
• Allegorically, it pictures Israel as Gods
  espoused bride
• (see Hosea 2 19-20), and the church as the bride
  of Christ.

37
Song of Solomon Introduction Continues...

• This book is called by many names Song of
  Songs, Song of Solomon or The Best Song.
• This song was written primarily from the point of
  view of the Shulamite, the reason could be
  Solomons relationship with the Shulamite was the
  only pure romance he ever experienced even though
  he had many wives.
• This book is arranged like scenes in a drama with
  three main speakers the bride (Shulamite), the
  king (Solomon), and a chorus (daughters of
  Jerusalem).

38
Christ in Song of Solomon

• In the Old Testament, Israel is regarded as the
  bride of Yahweh ( See Is. 545-6 Jer. 22
  Ezek. 168-14 Hosea 216-20). In the New
  Testament, the church is seen as the bride of
  Christ (see 2 Cor. 112 Eph. 523-25 Rev.
  197-9 219). The Song of Solomon illustrates
  the former and anticipates the latter.

39
Song of Solomon...Introduction Continues...

• Is this book fictional, allegorical or
  historical??
• Fictional Fictional drama that portrays
  Solomons courtship of and marriage to a poor but
  beautiful girl from the country.
• Allegorical it illustrate the truth of Gods
  love for his people.
• Historical it is a poetic record of Solomons
  actual romance with a Shulamite woman.

40
Survey of Song of Solomon

• Title (11)
• Falling in Love (12 - 35)
• United in Love (36 - 51)
• Struggling in Love (52 - 710)
• Maturing in Love (711 814)