POETRY IN THE SCRIPTURES

A note about Hebrew poetry from ILLUSTRATED BIBLE HANDBOOK by Lawrence O. Richards; page 252.

Parallelism of thought is the foundation of Hebrew poetry, not rhyme and rhythm as in English poetry. This feature remains constant in any language.

In Psalm chapter one, we see the style known as antithetical parallelism in which the contrasting natures of the righteous and the ungodly are presented.

Psalm 1:6 KJV – For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous:

but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Other common styles are synonymous parallelism, in which the first thought is repeated with different words.

Psalm 35:9 KJV – And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD:

it shall rejoice in his salvation.

And synthetic parallelism uses the secondary line to add something fresh to the first line.

Psalm 4:8 KJV – I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:

for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Here are some examples in Psalm one. We will simplify the different style names to contrasting, repeating, and complementing.  

Psalm 1

COMPLEMENTING- Blessed is the man

that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,

REPEATING- nor standeth in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

COMPLEMENTING- But his delight is in the law of the LORD;

and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

COMPLEMENTING- And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;

COMPLEMENTING- his leaf also shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

COMPLEMENTING- The ungodly are not so:

but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

REPEATING- Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

CONTRASTING- For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous:

but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Jesus was an eloquent speaker and used this same structure in His teachings.

Matthew 5:3-12 KJV – Blessed are the poor in spirit:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn:

for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek:

for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:

for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful:

for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart:

for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers:

for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you,

and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:

for great is your reward in heaven:

for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

God bless you all.

See also: Part 2