How do we study the Poetry in the Bible?

As we study the Bible, we see that the authors used a variety of literary styles to communicate to people in a way they would understand. In fact, there are 9 major literary styles found in the Bible, including Law, Narrative, Poetry, Wisdom, Prophecy, Gospels, Parables, Letters, and Apocalyptic. Commonly used in their culture, the original hearers would’ve been familiar with these styles and would’ve known how to read each appropriately for their intended purpose. But what about us today?

How do we study the Poetry in the Bible?

Poetry is truth, feelings, or experiences expressed through imagery and symbolic language and is found throughout the Old and New Testament, including in a collection of 150 inspired Psalms.

How is it unique? 

Poetry (Psalms) are unique because rather than being God’s spoken word to people, they show inspired people speaking to God (or about God) in song, poem, and prayer.

What was its purpose? 

Poetry is intended to appeal to emotions, to evoke feelings, and stimulate a response – it addresses the mind through the heart. It has a rhythm and structure that helped people remember God’s Word at a time when written copies, reading, and writing were rare. The psalms specifically were used as a prayer book for personal use and for worship when gathered together. People could turn to different types of psalms in different seasons: Lament (e.g. 3, 51), Songs of Praise (e.g. 46, 100), Thanksgiving (e.g. 34, 40, 118), Royal (e.g. 2, 110), Trust (e.g. 23, 63, 121) and Wisdom (e.g. 1, 119, 139).

Why should I read it today?

Poetry (Psalms) invites us to express ourselves and relate to God in a real and authentic way and they can serve as a guide to purposeful worship and intimate prayer.

How do I get the most out of it?

• What was the purpose for it being included in the Bible?
• What is the intended meaning of the symbolic language used (e.g. hyperbole, imagery, metaphor)?
• What type of psalm is it (e.g. lament, praise, thanksgiving, royal, wisdom, or trust) and how was it used back then?
• How did the poet/psalmist relate to and affirm God? What do we learn about God in the poetry?

Interested in learning more about Poetry? Check out episode 105 of The Chara Project Podcast on How to Study Poetry, available on YouTube and most podcasting sites.

Interested in learning more about other Literary Styles of the Bible? Check out this article.