Lesson 5: Introduction to Genre

Intro to Biblical Poetry

Nearly all of Job through Malachi is poetic. Once we add in the poetic sections of OT narrative, poetry composes over one-third of the OT! So, before we explore the more specific genres of psalms, wisdom, and prophecy, let’s examine the larger category of biblical poetry.
Poetry: A Definition
po•et•ry  noun

a style of writing in which special care is given to structure and composition for the purpose of producing a particular emotional effect in order to intensify the meaning of the text.
In other words, poetry helps us feel the weight of the truth it communicates. It helps connect our heads with our hearts and makes truths more memorable. 
Examples of Biblical Poetry
Psalm 131
A Song of Ascents. Of David.

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
    my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
    too great and too marvelous for me.

But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
    like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child is my soul within me.

O Israel, hope in the Lord
    from this time forth and forevermore.

—Psalm 131
Proverbs 14:25–27
A truthful witness saves lives,
    but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.

In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
    and his children will have a refuge.

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    that one may turn away from the snares of death.

—Proverbs 14:25–27
Identify 2–3 poetic features from Psalm 131 and Proverbs 14:25–27. Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.

Characteristics of Biblical Poetry
Parallelism
The rose is red, the violet’s blue,
The honey’s sweet, and so are you.
Most English speakers expect to find cadence and rhyming in poetry. Hebrew poetry also rhymes—but not always with sounds! Instead, Hebrew poetry often “rhymes” with ideas. In the examples above, each of the indented lines restates, explains, or complements the preceding line. Hebrew poetry usually has two parallel lines (and sometimes three, as with Psalm 131:2). 
Parallel lines can be:
Synonymous – The second line helps explain or add color to the first by restating it in different words.
Antithetical – The second line stands in contrast to the first.
Synthetic – The second line advances the thought of the first.
Let’s practice identifying parallel lines in the examples above:
Psalm 131:1, “(a) O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; (b) my eyes are not raised too high;” is an example of what kind of parallelism?
Synonymous parallelism
Antithetical parallelism
Synthetic parallelism
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Psalm 131:3, “(a) O Israel, hope in the Lord (b) from this time forth and forevermore” is an example of what kind of parallelism?
Synonymous parallelism
Antithetical parallelism
Synthetic parallelism
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Proverbs 14:25, “(a) A truthful witness saves lives, (b) but one who breathes out lies is deceitful” is an example of what kind of parallelism?
Synonymous parallelism
Antithetical parallelism
Synthetic parallelism
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Word Pictures
I love you, O LORD, my strength.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,   
    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,   
    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,   
    and I am saved from my enemies.

—Psalm 18:1–3
“A picture paints a thousand words.” It is also true that a few words can paint a full-color portrait. Consider Psalm 18:1–3. You cannot read those lines without vivid imagery coming to mind. That’s the point! The author employs word pictures to communicate his message vividly. When we read biblical poetry, we must identify word pictures and accurately interpret them so that we understand the author’s intended meaning as well as the intended effect of his word picture.
Theology
Biblical poetry is always theological. Poetry wondrously and beautifully proclaims theological truth. Did you know that the NT writers quote the book of Psalms more frequently than any other OT book? They do so because the psalms, in all their poetic splendor, proclaim truth. This truth reveals the heart of God and points to Jesus; it anchors our souls and stirs up godly motivation for Christian living.
Structure
Structural patterns in biblical poetry can occur within a single verse, a stanza of several verses, or across an entire psalm. Let’s consider three of the most common patterns:
Linear: Each unit follows the previous without repeating (A-B-C-D-E...).
Parallel: A sequence repeats (A-B-C, A-B-C).
Symmetrical: A sequence repeats but in reverse order, creating a mirror image (A-B, B-A or A-B-C-B-A). This is also called a chiasm.
We can see some examples of each structure below:
Linear
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who made heaven and earth,
    the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
    who executes justice for the oppressed,
    who gives food to the hungry.

—Psalm 146:5–7
Parallel
The heavens  |  declare  |  the glory of God,
and the sky above  |  proclaims  |  his handiwork.

—Psalm 19:1
Symmetrical
He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him;
    let him rescue him, for he delights in him!

—Psalm 22:8
Now, let’s consider structural patterns across a whole psalm. Psalm 5 has a parallel structure (A-B-C, A-B-C).

List 3–5 structural markers that you observe in Psalm 5.  Look for conjunctions (connecting words), repeated words, and parallel themes.Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.


A Resource for Learning More
If you would like to learn more about biblical poetry, consider the following resource:
Interpreting the Psalms: An Exegetical Handbook, by Mark D. FutatoAlthough this book focuses on interpreting the psalms, it provides many details about biblical poetry in general. It also teaches interpretative principles that apply across poetic genres.