1. Appreciating Poetry The uniqueness of the genre 1

2. 1A Why use Poetry in any culture? 1BIt speaks also to the emotive side of life, the whole person (not just intellect, but will, and emotions). IF IF 2BIt captures the heart & mind with the turn of a phrase or thought in a way that prose can not. AE Housman AE HousmanAE Housman 3BA way to say something without saying it directly or prosaically. SOS 4-5 4B Summary: It is an attractive way to express profound truth. 2

3. 2AInterpreting biblical poetry 1B The place of rhythm & meter 1C The lines only rarely follow a consistent rhythm of syllables. 1C The lines only rarely follow a consistent rhythm of syllables. 2C They only rarely rhyme in similar sounds, but always “rhyme” in terms of meaning. 2C They only rarely rhyme in similar sounds, but always “rhyme” in terms of meaning. 3C Tends to be short, using direct objects, definite article six times less than prose. 3C Tends to be short, using direct objects, definite article six times less than prose. 4C These characteristics are why the text is generally formatted differently in a study Bible, though there is a continuum from prose to poetic and the distinction in every example is not absolute! 4C These characteristics are why the text is generally formatted differently in a study Bible, though there is a continuum from prose to poetic and the distinction in every example is not absolute!continuum continuum 3

4. structure 2BThe importance of structure : 1CParallelism 1CParallelism 1DSynonymous: The first line is restated in the second. 1DSynonymous: The first line is restated in the second. 2DAntithetic: The first line is contrasted in the second. 2DAntithetic: The first line is contrasted in the second. 3DConstructive: The first line is developed in the second. 3DConstructive: The first line is developed in the second. 4DChiastic: The thought order is inverted. 4DChiastic: The thought order is inverted. 4

5. Synonymous Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise 5

6. Synonymous 6

7. Synonymous Psalm 2:3 "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters.Psalm 2:3 "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters. 7

8. Synonymous 8

9. Antithetic Psalm 1:6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. 9

10. Antithetic 10

11. Antithetic Psalm 37:9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. 11

12. Antithetic Psalm 37:9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. 12

13. Constructive Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 13

14. Constructive Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 14

15. Chiastic Psalm 2:10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 15

16. Chiastic Psalm 2:10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 16

17. acrostics 2CAcrostic Acrostic 1DIn the Bible: Each line of poetry begins with the next letter of the alphabet. alphabet 2DMeaning: totality, “As we have exhausted the alphabet so we have exhausted the subject” 3DExamples: 1E119: 119 2EProverbs 31: 3ELamentations 1, 2 & 3: 17

18. Figurative meaning 3BDiscussion about figurative meaning. 1C The purpose for figures of speech is to be visual and affective. 1C The purpose for figures of speech is to be visual and affective. 2CIt is, almost always, not literal 2CIt is, almost always, not literal 3CThis does NOT imply that it is somehow less true or accurate. 3CThis does NOT imply that it is somehow less true or accurate. 4CIs Genesis 3:15 poetic? 4CIs Genesis 3:15 poetic? 1Dcrush heel = 2Dcrush head = 3Dsnake = 18 painful, non-fatal painful, fatal Supernatural enemy

19. examples 5CExamples 1DParallel Exodus 14-15 2DParallel Judges 4-5 3DParallel Joshua 10 and sun standing still 19

20. 20 Review of Judges How sin ruins the neighborhood When love, respect and integrity are lost, the hope for a civilized society is lost. An easy way to describe and spot godly men. Godly men use their power and position to give and not take, especially the powerless. How women are the weathervane of the nation’s walk with God. Everyone is “nice” to the boss; how we treat the powerless is the test of character. Why Jesus’ promise of abundant life was not just a reference to heaven. Godliness (Boaz) brings life; godlessness (Samson) brings death. How sin ruins the neighborhood When love, respect and integrity are lost, the hope for a civilized society is lost. An easy way to describe and spot godly men. Godly men use their power and position to give and not take, especially the powerless. How women are the weathervane of the nation’s walk with God. Everyone is “nice” to the boss; how we treat the powerless is the test of character. Why Jesus’ promise of abundant life was not just a reference to heaven. Godliness (Boaz) brings life; godlessness (Samson) brings death.