Chapters 32-33 Study Questions Flashcards
Introduction to Hebrew Poetry and Psalms
What did many nineteenth century critics assume that Hebrews were incapable of regarding poetry?
Cultivating hymnic, lyric, or didactic poetry until a fairly late period
What do most modern critics concede regarding the dating of Hebrew poetry?
Early elements do go back to the time of David, though the finished production may not have been written until the late monarchy or post-exilic periods.
What is parallelism in Hebrew poetry?
Balancing thoughts or phrases with corresponding thoughts or phrases containing almost the same number of words, or a similar idea.
What did 19th and early 20th century critics contend regarding rhythm in Hebrew poetry?
Each of the Old Testament poetic texts must have conformed to a predictable pattern.
What did critics try to do to passages after they thought they figured out their dominant metrical patterns?
Frequently amend the Received Text of the Hebrew wherever it did not conform
What helps prove that there was no observable meter in Hebrew poetry?
The Canaanite text of the Ras Shamra tablets
What did G. D. Young state regarding the lack of metrical pattern in Hebrew poetry?
“It is not accentual or syllabic, but is simply the beautiful repetition of ideas in parallel form.”
Hokhmah is the Hebrew word for what?
Wisdom
What did Hebrew wisdom literature contain?
Moral law governing human relationships, relationships with God, and a degree of success to which man may attain
What is the Hebrew title for Psalms?
“Praise Songs”
What is the Greek word Psalmoi mean?
Songs to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument
What purpose do the psalms seem to embody?
Personal response on the part of the believer toward the goodness and grace of God
Psalm 2 is a rare psalm that contains what?
Thoughts and revelations of God Himself
What was the Psalter?
A division of the psalms into five books, perhaps to correspond to the five books of the Torah
Where is the only definite information about the authors of the psalms found?
In their titles, though not all titles contain the author’s name
What is the earliest psalm and when was it presumably composed?
Psalm 90 by Moses, around 1405 B.C.
When did the psalms of David and Asaph originate?
Between 1020 and 975 B.C.
How do rationalist critics view the psalm titles?
As additions by later rabbis based on speculation
Based on the rejection of the psalm titles, what do critics say about David’s authorship of the 73 psalms attributed to him?
He did not compose any of them.
What four reasons besides the unreliability of the psalm titles do critics say show the improbability of David’s authorship? Argue against them.
- Some psalms speak of King David in the third person.
1A. Abundant evidence of ancient authors speaking of themselves in the third person, even God speaking of Himself in the Old Testament - Some psalms refer to Israel’s sanctuary as a temple structure already built.
2A. The Hebrews sometimes referred to the tent of the tabernacle as “sanctuary,” “house of God,” or “temple.” - Some Davidic psalms contain Aramaisms, indicating post-exilic authorship.
3A. David had contact with Aramaic-speaking people North of Israel. - The historical David was too busy with practical affairs to write poetry/music.
4A. The Old Testament supports David’s interest in musical arts. 1 Sam. presents him as a skilled harpist. Amos 6:5 refers to him as an inventor/player of musical instruments.
Was the psalter compiled all at once?
No. It was accumulated over a long period of time.
What psalm mentioned by Archer is considered exilic?
Psalm 137 - “By the waters of Babylon”
What psalm mentioned by Archer is considered post-exilic?
Psalm 126 - “…the captivity of Zion.”
How did Hermann Gunkel use humanistic form criticism to analyze the Psalter?
He classified psalms into various categories, and sought to identify the general situation in life that brought them into existence.
How many psalms do the Masoretic Text and Septuagint record?
150
What causes a discrepancy in verse numbering between the English version of the psalms and the MT?
The English version does not count the psalm title as a verse.
What does the term “selah” indicate in the psalms?
An instruction to the reciter to “lift up” his voice or to wait for a “musical interlude.”
Several of the psalms have a remarkable feature. What is it?
Allusion to the coming Messiah.
Compare Hebrew poetry to modern English poetry.
- Rhyme was not characteristic of Hebrew poetry.
- Hebrew poetry was not fiction.
- Hebrew poetry demonstrated a balance of thought.
What are three types of parallelism?
Synonymous - second line generally repeats the first.
Antithetical - second line contrasts the first.
Synthetic - second line adds to or constructs the first.
What is the concern of wisdom literature?
The practical rather than the speculative, similar to the Greeks.
What are the divisions of the Psalter?
I. Psalms 1-41 belong to David II. 42-72 III. 73-89 IV. 90-106 V. 107-150
What are 8 types/classifications of psalms?
- Praise
- Nature
- Historical
- Social
- Imprecatory (prayers about enemy defeat)
- Penitential (repentance)
- Messianic - Ps. 110, 22
- Liturgical (worship) - Ps. 120-124 Songs of ascent
What are the wisdom books of Scripture?
Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes
