Lecture 14 - Introduction to Poetical Books
Old Testament Introduction
Bro. Bryan Samms
Poetry is most distinguished by Parallelism
1) Synonymous- Psalm 19:2
2) Antithetic- Psalm 1:6
3) Synthetic
a. By contrast/ comparison- Proverbs 15:17
b. By reason- Proverbs 26:4
4) Climactic- Psalm 29:1
5) Emblematic- Proverbs 11:21
I. Introduction to Psalms
A. Author
1. Most do not name
1 Samuel 16:10; 2 Samuel 23:1; Psalms 72:20; 2 Samuel 6:5
 Moses (1)
 David (73)
 Asaph (12)
 Korah’s sons (10)
 Solomon (2)
 Herman (1)
 Ethan (1)
2. Psalm titles are key
B. Theme- songs of Praise
C. Content
1. Five Divisions
 Book 1 – chapters 1-41
 Book 2 – chapters 42-72
 Book 3 – chapters 73-89
 Book 4 – chapters 90-106
 Book 5 – chapters 107-150
From Greg Parsons, “Guidelines for Understanding and Proclaiming Psalms”, Bibliotheca Sacra (April
1990)
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2. Messianic Psalms
 A “purely” prophetic psalm is one that primarily (or exclusively) refers to Christ
(Psalm 110)
 Eschatological psalms describe the coming of the Lord and the consummation of His
kingdom (Psalm 93, 96–99, and perhaps others).
 Typico-prophetic psalms are those in which the psalmist describes his own
experience with language that sometimes goes beyond that experience (or his own
circumstances) to become historically true only in Christ (Ps. 8 and 22 and perhaps
Ps. 2 and 45)
 Indirectly messianic psalms were written for the Davidic king (or for the royal
activities in general) but with ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the Davidic King par
excellence (Ps. 72 and probably Ps. 2 and 45)

Typically, messianic psalms refer to circumstances of the times, but prefigure some
aspect of Christ’s life (Ps. 34 and 69 and probably Ps. 40)
3. Imprecatory Psalms
 Addressing progressive revelation
a) Not error to truth
b) Partial to complete
 Truth and error were often visualized by success and failure/ blessing or curse
 Uphold the justice and integrity of God
 Now, this Word is the ultimate vindication of right and wrong
II. Introduction to Job
A. Author- arguments for Mosaic authorship
 Hebrews possessed it
 Canonical status
 Patriarchal flavor/setting
 Aramaic terminology
B. Theme- Purpose of pain in the lives of the godly
C. Content
1. Lessons Learned
 God is worthy of love
 Pain purifies and strengthens
 God’s ways are beyond ours
2. Location- Luz
o Septuagint- Aistai in Northern Arabia
o Adjacent to Edom in Mt. Seir
From Greg Parsons, “Guidelines for Understanding and Proclaiming Psalms”, Bibliotheca Sacra (April
1990)
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3. Timing- Patriarchal Age
 No reference to Mosaic Law
 Family- clan like that of Abraham, not Post-Exodus
 No priest to offer sacrifice
III.
Introduction to Proverbs
A. Authorship- Primarily Solomon
1. Some compiled (25:1)
2. Other wise men contributed (22-24)
3. Gathered from external sources (30-31)
B. Theme- instruction in Wisdom
IV.
Introduction to Ecclesiastes
A. Author- Solomon
B. Theme- Uselessness of a secular worldview
V.
Introduction to Song of Solomon
A. Author- Solomon
B. Theme- Love of a young married couple
C. Content- theories of interpretation
1. Allegorical- Christ and the Church
2. Literal- secular love song
3. Typical- historical incident to elevate love to a holy level
From Greg Parsons, “Guidelines for Understanding and Proclaiming Psalms”, Bibliotheca Sacra (April
1990)
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