They are called Poetical because they are composed almost entirely of Hebrew verse But these books are not the only ones to contain Hebrew Poetry. Almost every part of the Bible contains poetry. It expresses some of the deepest and highest thoughts and feelings of the human heart. But although Poetry is easy to recognise it is much more difficult to define it. Hebrew poetry is rather unique and beautiful. It is characterised by some distinctive features.

Parallelism
Unlike modern poetry Hebrew poetry rarely rhymes. Instead it has rhythm and meter. The main feature of Hebrew poetry is a rhythm of thought called parallelism. The two members or parts of the verse are balanced. This is an invaluable tool in interpretation. If the first half is unclear then usually the matching verse can shed light on the meaning. There are various forms of parallelism which can be recognised in Hebrew poetry.

Synonymous
This phenomena is the repetition of an identical thought using different words. The second line repeats what the first line states. Both lines mean the same thing.

Psalm 15:1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

Examples: Psalm 24:3 Isaiah 1:3

Antithetic
This method sets out two parts presenting a contrast. The first line contrasts with the second.

Psalm 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Examples: Proverbs 1:29; 10:1,7

Synthetic
The second line takes up the thought of the first line and develops it further. It adds information to what has already been said.

Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 

Examples: Proverbs 3:5-7

Emblematic
The main point or statement of the first line is illustrated in the second line with an image or metaphor. 

Psalm 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 

Examples: Psalm 42:23

Climatic
This phenomena has also been called Stairlike or Expansion. The second line repeats the first line with the exception of the last term in the sentence. The first idea is slowly built up and developed. 

Psalm 29:1,2 Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name.

Introverted
The lines are arranged so the 1st and 4th verses parallel and the 2nd and 3rd verses parallel.

Psalm 123:1 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. 

Examples: Proverbs 23:15,16 

Illustrations
There are many illustrations, images and pictures throughout Hebrew Poetry. It is a very picturesque medium and adds to the beauty of the Hebrew language itself. The various figures of speech can be found in Bible poetry. Each of these must be interpreted according to their own rules and literary structures.

Emotions
The emphasis of Hebrew Poetry lies on the glory to God and man's love for God. This means that the language of the Hebrew poet was filled with strong expressions of emotion. This emotional outburst usually employs exaggerated language to express this intense emotion. (Hyperbolic language) Job 16:12-13

For Further Study see Imprecatory Psalms

Structure
Hebrew poetry can either be lyric or didactic.

Lyric
Lyrical refers to poetry which can easily be put to music and is intended for singing. Psalms, Song of Songs, and Lamentations are lyrical poetry.

Didactic
This poetry is intended to bring instruction and teach the reader wisdom. Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes are didactic in nature.

Headings
One of the obvious places to gather information about the Psalm is the headings. Examine the heading of the Psalm to see the historical incident in the life of the author. This is the traditional way of looking at a Psalm. You try to relate it to a historical incident within the life of the author. Some of the Psalms don't have the historical situation described so these become speculative. However the Psalms with the headings describing the historical event can be relied on.

There are 34 Psalms in the Hebrew text that do not have a heading but in the Septuagint LXX only 2 lack headings. Liberal scholars have tried to remove them but they were part of the Massoretic text and thus historically accurate. These headings give us information as to the circumstances which led to the composition of the Psalms. There is a total of five elements that can appear in the heading of any Psalm. Psalm 60 is a good example.

Author
Name of the Author is given as "Psalm of David"

Directions to Musicians
There are a number of terms used which give musical direction but unfortunately are not understood by us today. Some are translated as octaves or upon stringed or wind instruments. The common word Selah means "Lifting up", "meditation pause", or "Interlude". While this does not appear in the headings but is found at the end of a section, it gives moments of breathing and meditation. It is used 71 times in Thirty-nine Psalms. Its meaning is not altogether certain but it is believed to mean lifting up of the voices or increase the volume of the music. Others say that it indicates a dramatic pause for musical effects and meditation or marks the place where the closing benediction might be sung.

Melodies
Some of the words designate ancient tunes or melodies to which the poems may have been sung. These tunes were so well known that they were referred to only by the opening words. "Dove of the Dawn" Psalm 22; Psalm 56, 9, 60, 80.

Historical Setting
Fourteen of the Psalms of David designate specific occasions when they were written. These help us to better understand David's emotions and heart in the historical setting. These events are chronological in order.

Historical Psalms

Styles

Mizmor
Mizmor means "Psalm" . Fifty-seven Psalms are given this designation. It is the common title for a Psalm that was to be sung to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument.

Shir
Shir means "Song" . Thirty Psalms have this heading. This word refers to both a sacred and a secular song of joyful melody.

Maschil
Maschil is translated "A Contemplated Psalm". Thirteen Psalms have this heading. It has a variety of meanings - meditative, instructive, skilful.

Michtam
The meaning of this word is not clear at all. It is used six times. However all of these Psalms are lamentations, and may have something to do with the way it was to be sung. Psalm 16, 56-60

Shiggayon
Shiggayon is used in Psalm 7 and its meaning is not clear. It may mean "dirge" suggesting the emotion of grief, because of the content of the Psalm.

Tephillah
Tephillah is used five times. It has been translated "prayer. It is also found in Habakkuk 3.

Tehillah
Techillah is translated "Praise". It is used once in Psalm 145 although the whole Psalter is called the book of Tehillah.
 

Structure
Seek to identify the structure of the poetry. Check the list of types of Parallelism. Is it synonymous parallelism, climatic parallelism, etc.? What type of form is it in? Is it lyrical or didactic? Analyse the lines of each couplet to see how they are related to each other. Look for figures of speech and identify them.

Introduction
Another unique and distinctive form of literature found in the Bible is Proverbs. These gems of wisdom often are found isolated all by themselves and are like a set of beads strung together. They have a variety of topics from common life but they generally relate them to God and man. These Proverbial sayings among the Hebrews came from a people who since the time of the Exodus had believed that God was the God of the whole earth who exercised authority in every aspect of life.

Interpretation
Figures of Speech
Determine whether the Proverb involves any of the figures of speech. Proverbs 1:20 is wisdom personified. Proverbs 5:15-18 is an allegory.

Context
See if the context can help. Proverbs rarely have a large context and generally relate to the single verse. However sometimes the setting in which the author has placed them can help in providing a common theme as in the case of the Father teaching his son in Proverbs 1-9.

Parallelism
Look for the Hebrew forms of parallelism. Synonymous, antithetic, synthetic, etc.

For Further Study see Parallelism

Identify Saying
Determine what kind of a saying it is. Some are just plain statements of fact from every day life. Proverbs 20:11 Others are simple precepts of a virtuous life. Proverbs 3:5 Be careful that you don't make all of them absolute laws for every situation of life. They are not to be treated as absolute in every situation nor are they to be given the weight or force of a moral absolute. Some are quite obvious that they were not meant to be universally true. Proverbs 16:7 There have been many exceptions to this statement. There are Proverbial limitations to the meanings.

These little couplets were designed to reflect principles of wisdom for Godly living. They do not reflect moral laws that are to be applied absolutely to every conceivable life situation.

Proverbs 26:4-5 gives us a good example of this practice. It can be contradictory if taken as absolute with no exceptions. v.4,5 There are times when it is foolish to answer a fool according to his folly, and there are times when it is wise to answer a fool with foolishness.

The same kind of thing can happen with the biblical proverb. It can even happen with some of the wisdom saying of Jesus. Jesus says in Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me. But He also says in Luke 9:50 for he that is not against us is for us. How can both be true? We all know that in some circumstances silence means consent, and in others it indicates hostility. In some cases lack of opposition means support; in other cases lack of support indicates opposition. This is a unique principle to proverbs and does not teach that Scripture is relative and there is no absolute truth.

Common Sense
When there are no other helps use sanctified common sense and sound judgment. Use Scripture to shed light on the passage

Copyright © 1995 David Graves & Jane Graves, Electronic Christian Media