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Announcements. Extra Credit – first assignment due by the end of today (no extensions) Tuesday, 9:30-10:30 J226 – Keri will have an informal review time stop by if you have questions come and go as you please Review Exam Policies Start early if you wish
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Announcements • Extra Credit – first assignment due by the end of today (no extensions) • Tuesday, 9:30-10:30 J226 – Keri will have an informal review time • stop by if you have questions • come and go as you please • Review Exam Policies • Start early if you wish • Find your self a left-handed desk if you need it • Fire drill procedures • Missed exams • Academic support center
Psalm 133:1 • HINNEH MAH TOV U-MAH NA’IM • Behold how good and how pleasant (is) • SHEVET AḤIM • (the) sitting (of) brothers • GAM YAḤAD (twice) • also together • HINNEH MAH TOV (twice) • Lai lai lai ……..
Poetic Literature: The Psalms
Introductory Matters • David as significant author in collection of Psalms • Amount of poetry in First Testament • What is the value of poetic expression? • Possible responses • Visual imagery and figures of speech raise our level of sensitivity to spiritual truths • It is memorable
An Example • When I survey the wondrous cross • On which the Prince of Glory died; • My richest gain I count but loss, • And pour contempt on all my pride.
Characteristics of Hebrew Poetry • Contrast with classic western poetry • Structure: Balance and symmetry in ideas and concepts – parallelism • Synonymous parallelism (Psalm 2:3-5) • Antithetical parallelism (Psalm 1:6) • Synthetic parallelism (Psalm 1:1-3) • Forms can be interrelated • Why is this such a powerful means of expressing biblical truth? • Parallelism “survives” translation • Importance of conceptual repetition in conveying truth
Additional Characteristics of Hebrew Poetry • Figurative language • Personification • “The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back; the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs” (Psalm 114:3-4) • Metaphor • “But You are a shield around me, O Lord” (Ps 3:3) • Simile • “He shall be like a tree…” (Ps 1:3) • Acrostic (Psalms 119; also 25, 34, 37) • Numbered patterns (Prov 6:16-19)
Introduction to the Psalms • Israel’s hymnbook – God’s word to us and our words to God • Psalm titles • Circumstances • Authors (David, Asaph, sons of Korah, Moses, Solomon, unknown) • Musical notes • Arrangement – five books • Note Joshua 1 and Psalm 1 parallels - meditation on Torah • General teachings • Nature of God and His mighty works for His people – hesed and emet (emunah) – Psalm 103:8-13 • Nature of sinful humans – need for penitence and deliverance • Love for God’s instruction – determination to live an upright life
Subject Matter Classification • Individual (42,43) and corporate (137) laments – expressing distress and suffering • Penitential psalms (51) – deep sorrow and repentance over personal sin • Thanksgiving psalms (118); hymns of praise (8) • Salvation history psalms (78, 105) • Songs of Zion (48,84) • Songs of trust (23)
Messianic psalms • Messiah = “anointed one” – roles of king and priest • Psalm 22 – “My God, My God, what hast Thou forsaken Me?” • Psalm 110 – combines both kingly and priestly motifs
Imprecatory Psalms • 109, 140 • The problem: First Testament saints asking that others be cursed • Considerations: • These psalms are part of Scripture • The writer is asking God to take care of the problem; he is not taking vengeance himself • There is great concern for God’s honor and glory • The writer is a sinner – but the enemy is worse • There is no gloating over the fall of the enemy • Affliction may cause some to turn in repentance