Author: joanie

Parallelism: A + B –part 2 on biblical poetry

Understanding how to begin exegeting Hebrew poetry is helpful in learning about the forms, especially that of parallelism. It is the most common form used in the Bible and perhaps the easiest to understand. It is the foundation and common literary feature in Hebrew poetry in that two or more lines are connected in some way. The simple formula tell us that line A is the main reference, followed by line B that has something added to it; Line B emphasizes line A, and connects to it. The phrase, A plus B, boils down to mean that something has been added to line B making the whole more significant (Fields, 2008, p. 266). Do not let this explanation overwhelm you. Try to take the time to look up the provided references in the Bible and you will be able to understand the process, This is not an easy task, but worth the effort when you “get it.”

There are several kinds of parallelisms in Hebrew poetry which include: synonymous, nearly identical thoughts in both lines of a couplet (Ps. 49:1); contrastive (antithetic),  line B is in contrast to  line A (Pro. 15:1); synthetic (temporal),  line B completes the thought of the line A (Pro. 4:23); synthetic (causal/climatic), proceeds by steps to a climax in thought (Ps. 103:1);        comparative/complementary, line B forms a simile of the line A (Ps. 103:12); and progressive; a new and related thought is introduced in line B (Job 3:17) (Fields, 2008, p. 266; Merrill, 2008, p.218). Only the synonymous parallelism will be discussed in the essay and I will give an example of this parallelism device and explain how it is used.

            The formula: “A plus B,” shows how B makes a connection to A. In a general parallelism, B is not a restatement, but additional information has been added to emphasize A.  Sometimes this is accomplished by using a contrasting B clause.  Following is an example of a general parallelism:

            Line A: “With God we will gain victory,

            Line B.   and He will trample down our enemies” (Psalm 60:12 NIV).

            The base (or reference point) is always line A. We can see in line A that God will be responsible for the victory. In line B, we see how this will come about — He will trample them. The relationship is logical and connective. God is a proper noun in the line A, and corresponds to that with He in line B. The relationship can also come about in either order with cause-effect or effect cause. Either way, line B needs to emphasize line A, the reference point (Fields, 2008, p. 266). Understanding that “A plus B,” means that something has been added to line B making the whole more connectively significant and makes the process of exegeting easier to perform (Fields, 2008, p. 266).

References

Fields, L.M. (2008). Hebrew for the rest of us. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Life Application Study Bible (NIV). (2005). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Merrill, E.H. (2008). An historical survey of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic

Subjective and Non-Subjective Approaches Expression

Poetic truths exist on a different level than ordinary facts. It is a way of thinking that goes beyond the literal, straight forward approach. Example: My peach tree is in bloom, it is 20 feet high, and stands 30 feet from my house. This is factual and non-subjective. Poetry is mostly subjective in its truth and I will try to show that with this example following up with the same peach tree (please excuse my poor poetry; I am just trying to prove a point).

Peach Tree in Bloom

The sweet fragrance of its baby-pink blossoms —

God’s natural perfume — wafting on the breeze

As it tickles bright new leaves and flowers- to- be fruit

 As one would tickle a child – in gently playful joy

I inhale deeply and envision peaches

Like a gift from God to me in my little Eden.

The subjective helps us to grasp the true nature of things and better contact with reality. It paints a picture in the mind. Metaphors are usually the best element for defining poetry as they point to the truth by comparison to the reader. Emotion plays a part in poetry and usually sticks in your mind with its truth of the situation.

More about the Psalms

Copyright 2019 by Joan Berry

                Martin Luther said of the psalms that they formed a little Bible (Wright, p. 28). John Calvin went a step further and said they were the anatomy of all parts of the soul. “He was in touch with how profoundly the psalms had touched him; and how the psalms reflected our emotions. The psalms have endeared themselves to the hearts of God’s people throughout the centuries” (Futato, p. 59). The Psalms, also known as the Psalter, comprise 150 poems/songs that are placed into five main categories and each end with a doxology. Some of the psalms are very ancient originating from 1000 years prior to the Jesus Movement. It is thought that the Book of Psalms was closed in the fourth or third century B. C.  Approximately one third of the 360 quotes from the Old and New Testaments are taken from the Psalter (Sabornin, pp. v-vi, 164).

            The five main categories the psalms fall into are Hymns, Laments, Songs of Thanksgiving, Divine Kingship Songs, and Wisdom Songs. Considered to be Royal Psalms are 2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 89, 101, 110, 132, and 144.  Psalms also appear in the books of Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Song of Songs, Isiah, Minor Prophets except Jonah. In addition some appear in Exodus 15; Judges 5; and 2 Samuel 18 (Futato, p. 18).

            According to Wright (2011), “A good poem uses its poetic form to probe deeper into human experience than ordinary speech or writing is usually able to do, to pull back a veil and allow the reader or hearer to sense other dimensions. Sometimes, we are shocked or have to admit that we never considered that view before.”

            Psalm 23^rd  is considered to be one of the finest in the psalter because of its simplicity. It also breaks all the patterns of ‘form history.’ Being a pure psalm of confidence, it cannot immediately be classified under any of the categories or type of style history. It is a created poem that has its own form type” (Sabornin, p. 271).

Purpose of the Psalms

            It may be suggested that the Book of Psalms is a manual, guide/model for individual’s devotional needs; one reason is that it was influenced by wisdom tradition. Many psalms were believers’ praises and prayers to God, but once The Psalms became a canonical book, the texts became God’s word to the believers to teach us how to pray and praise Him (Futato, pp. 59, 68).  

             The word “psalms” comes from the Greek that denotes stringed instruments; “psalter” also comes from the Greek meaning stringed instruments, most likely the lyre. Accordingly, this indicates that many of the psalms were written for congregational worship. Churches throughout the centuries have used psalms as lyrics for hymns as well as liturgy for recitation (Creach, pp. 1, 2). Furthermore, there are two important characteristics that Creach (1998) brings to the forefront of this topic: 1) “They were not prayed privately or in isolation. When an individual speaks in a psalm, he or she prays from within a congregation, or on behalf of a group; 2) Many psalms speak about great suffering and persecution” (Creach, pp. 1,2). Americans residing in the United States have freedom of religion; however, it is correct to pray on the behalf of others who are poor and oppressed in the world. Recently, as most of us know, there is a war on Christianity in all parts of the world and yes, here too.

Note to new Bible students

            Be sure to interpret text in its original historic content, although some of it appears to relate to all ages.

Sources

Creach, J. F. D. (1998). Imprecation Bible Studies: Psalms. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.

Futato, M. D. (2007). Interpreting the Psalms: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.

New King James Study Bible. (2nd.ed., 2007). Nashville, TN. Tomas Nelson, Inc.

Life Application Study Bible (2012). Carol Stream, IL. Tyndale House

Sabornin, S, J. (1979). The Psalms: Their Origin and Meaning. New York, NY: Alba House Publications.

Wright, N. T. (2011). The Case for Psalms: Why They are Essential. New York, NY: Harper One.