Interpreting OT Poetry pt 1: Intro to Psalms as Literature Flashcards
We tend to think about God’s Word, the Scriptures, as words ___ God __ people.
• However when we study Psalms we learn that the Bible also includes words spoken __ God and _____ God __ people.
We tend to think about God’s Word, the Scriptures, as words FROM God TO people.
• However when we study Psalms we learn that the Bible also includes words spoken TO God and ABOUT God BY people.
*They help us to find ways to EXPRESS our joys, sorrows, successes and failures, hopes and regrets HONESTLY to God.
We need to understand that the Psalter is actually comprised of __ books.
We need to understand that the Psalter is actually comprised of FIVE books.
Unlike chapters, each psalm was composed as a _____ ___.
Unlike chapters, each psalm was composed as a COMPLETE UNIT.
The Psalter functioned as the ___ book, or _____ book of the nation, holding a
significant part in corporate worship
experience of Israel.
The Psalter functioned as the HYMN book, or PRAYER book of the nation, holding a
significant part in corporate worship
experience of Israel.
Important Terms:
______: distinct units of 2 or 3 short lines containing a distinct thought
STRUCTURE: distinct units of 2 or 3 short lines containing a distinct thought
Important Terms:
(under Structure)
______: single line (plural is ‘cola’
_______: a pair of related cola
_______: a group of three cola
_______: a group of four cola
- COLON: single line (plural is ‘cola’)
- BICOLON: a pair of related cola
- TRICOLON: group of three cola
- TETRACOLON: group of four cola
Important Terms
(under Structure)
• ______ or _____: 2-4 related cola
- _______: subsection, one or more strophe
- _______: recurring line or strophe
• STROPHE or VERSE: 2-4 related cola
- STANZA: subsection, one or more strophe
- REFRAIN: recurring line or strophe
Psalms as Literature:
Each psalm is characterized by its ______ structure.
Each psalm is characterized by its FORMAL structure.
Psalms as Literature:
• Each type of psalm was intended to have a given _____ in the life of Israel.
• Each type of psalm was intended to have a given FUNCTION in the life of Israel.
Psalms as Literature:
Each psalm has its own ______ as a literary unit.
Each psalm has its own INTEGRITY as a literary unit.
- Should NOT be added to or taken away from.
- The VERSES of a psalm must be seen in the context of the ENTIRE psalm.
Psalms as Poetry:
Approach the psalms as lyrics intended for music.
They are expressions of God’s covenant
people in _______ to God, whether
positive or negative. There is _____.
Approach the Psalms as lyrics intended for music.
They are expressions of God’s covenant
people in RESPONSE to God, whether
positive or negative. There is HONESTY.
Psalms as Poetry:
Approach the psalms as lyrics intended for music.
• As poetry, its goal is to address the ____ through the _____, appealing to the
emotions first rather than propositional
thinking.
• As poetry, its goal is to address the mind through the heart appealing to the
emotions first rather than propositional
thinking.
Psalms as Poetry
Approach the psalms as lyrics intended for music.
Doctrine in the Psalms tends to be _______, not proclamation.
Doctrine in the Psalms tends to be REFLECTIVE, not proclamation.
Psalms as Poetry:
As poetic literature, the vocabulary is purposefully metaphorical.
• This helps us to interpret the author’s intent.
• To read the book of Psalms well, you need to appreciate symbolic language for what it is intended to do —to _____ emotion—and
then to _____ it into reality.
• To read the book of Psalms well, you need to appreciate symbolic language for what it is
intended to do —to EVOKE emotion—and
then to TRANSLATE it into reality.
