Of the Old Testament © John Stevenson, 2010

Dr. John T. Stevenson Family Life Academic Life

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As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” (Psalm 42:1-3

These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God, With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. (Psalm 42:4).

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. 6 O my God, my soul is in despair within me; Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. (Psalm 42:5-6).

Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me. 8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, A prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42:7-8).

I will say to God my rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” 10 As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” (Psalm 42:9-10).

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. (Psalm 42:11).

Dr. John T. Stevenson

Group Introductions Your nameYour name Your home churchYour home church Where are you in the TIU process?Where are you in the TIU process? What is your current ministry within the Kingdom?What is your current ministry within the Kingdom? Do you play a musical instrument?Do you play a musical instrument?

Exploring the Old Testament Volume 3 A Guide to the Psalms & Wisdom Literature Ernest Lucas

Course Objectives Identify figures of speech and the use of imagery in the poetry of the Bible in order to participate in its drama.Identify figures of speech and the use of imagery in the poetry of the Bible in order to participate in its drama. Read aloud the poetry of the Psalms and Wisdom Books of the Old Testament for ceremonial occasions.Read aloud the poetry of the Psalms and Wisdom Books of the Old Testament for ceremonial occasions. Identify the parallel members in biblical poetry in order to synthesize the various elements in them into a meaningful unit.Identify the parallel members in biblical poetry in order to synthesize the various elements in them into a meaningful unit.

Course Objectives Differentiate the various types of poetry in the different poetic books of the Bible.Differentiate the various types of poetry in the different poetic books of the Bible. Evaluate the place of a wisdom tradition in Ancient Israel and consider wisdom influence in the formulation of the Bible.Evaluate the place of a wisdom tradition in Ancient Israel and consider wisdom influence in the formulation of the Bible. Overview the structure of the Poetic Books of the Old TestamentOverview the structure of the Poetic Books of the Old Testament

Course Objectives Contrast the perspectives of Job and Ecclesiastes to the wisdom of Proverbs as a guide for evaluating current perspectives about meaningful living.Contrast the perspectives of Job and Ecclesiastes to the wisdom of Proverbs as a guide for evaluating current perspectives about meaningful living. Research in the poetry and wisdom of the world of the Bible in order to consider different perspectives on the meaning of life in antiquity.Research in the poetry and wisdom of the world of the Bible in order to consider different perspectives on the meaning of life in antiquity.

Grades Homework: Class Participation: Applied Learning Paper: 50% 10% 40% TOTAL:100%

Pentateuch Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Historical Books Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther Poetic Books Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon Prophetic Books Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

Book Pain & sufferingJob Song of Solomon Ecclesiastes Psalms Proverbs Problem Prayer & Worship Conduct Meaning & significance Love Sovereign God as… Holy All-wise Creator Lover of His people On his face before God Man as… Before the throne of God Receiving instruction Under the sun In a love relationship

What is poetry?

Analyze a poem or song What is the mood?What is the mood? What is the meter?What is the meter? What is the overall structure?What is the overall structure? What figurative imagery is used and what does it convey?What figurative imagery is used and what does it convey? How does it make you feel?How does it make you feel?

Trope A literary device that uses words in other than their normal sense From the Latin word tropus, “manner or style.”

SimileSimile Trope He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water (Psalm 1:3). 

SimileSimile Trope The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away ( Psalm 1:4). 

SimileSimile MetaphorMetaphor Trope The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer (Psalm 18:2a). 

SimileSimile MetaphorMetaphor Trope My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2b). 

SimileSimile MetaphorMetaphor MetonymyMetonymy Trope  The use of the name of one thing to stand for another.

SimileSimile MetaphorMetaphor MetonymyMetonymy Trope  But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head (Ps 3:3).

SimileSimile MetaphorMetaphor MetonymyMetonymy Trope  Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired; My ears You have opened; Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required. (Psalm 40:6). “A body you have prepared” (Heb. 10:5)

SimileSimile MetaphorMetaphor MetonymyMetonymy IronyIrony Trope  The use of a word designed to convey the opposite of its normal meaning

SimileSimile MetaphorMetaphor MetonymyMetonymy IronyIrony Trope Then Job responded, 2 “Truly then you are the people, And with you wisdom will die! (Job 12:1-2).

SimileSimile MetaphorMetaphor MetonymyMetonymy IronyIrony PersonificationPersonification Trope Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy (Psalm 98:8).

Synonymous ParallelismSynonymous Parallelism The First line is restated in the Second line Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? (Psalm 2:1).

Synonymous ParallelismSynonymous Parallelism The First line is restated in the Second line The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together (Psalm 2:2a).

Synonymous ParallelismSynonymous Parallelism The First line is restated in the Second line He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. (Palm 2:4).

Synonymous ParallelismSynonymous Parallelism Antithetical ParallelismAntithetical Parallelism The First line is followed by its opposite in the Second line For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You. (Psalm 5:4).

Synonymous ParallelismSynonymous Parallelism Antithetical ParallelismAntithetical Parallelism Synthetic ParallelismSynthetic Parallelism The Second line continues and expands the thought begun the first line

Synonymous ParallelismSynonymous Parallelism Antithetical ParallelismAntithetical Parallelism Synthetic ParallelismSynthetic Parallelism I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. (Psalm 3:4).

Synonymous ParallelismSynonymous Parallelism Antithetical ParallelismAntithetical Parallelism Synthetic ParallelismSynthetic Parallelism Emblematic ParallelismEmblematic Parallelism As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God (Psalm 42:1).

Synonymous ParallelismSynonymous Parallelism Antithetical ParallelismAntithetical Parallelism Synthetic ParallelismSynthetic Parallelism Emblematic ParallelismEmblematic Parallelism The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1).

Synonymous ParallelismSynonymous Parallelism Antithetical ParallelismAntithetical Parallelism Synthetic ParallelismSynthetic Parallelism Emblematic ParallelismEmblematic Parallelism Climactic ParallelismClimactic Parallelism

Psalm 29:1-2 A Psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array.

Psalm 29:3-4 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; The God of glory thunders, The LORD is over many waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful, The voice of the LORD is majestic.

Psalm 29:5-7 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; Yes, the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, And Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the LORD hews out flames of fire.

Psalm 29:8-9 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the LORD makes the deer to calve And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everything says, “Glory!”

Psalm 29:10-11 The LORD sat as King at the flood; Yes, the LORD sits as King forever. 11 The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.

What type of Parallelism is being used? A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. 2 Many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah. (Psalm 3:1-2)

What type of Parallelism is being used? But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. 4 I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. 5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. (Psalm 3:3-5)

What type of Parallelism is being used? I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about. 7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. (Psalm 3:6-7)

What type of Parallelism is being used? Salvation belongs to the LORD; Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah (Psalm 3:8)

Can consist of two lines (colons) or three

Psalm 2:1-2 Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD And against His Anointed,

Psalm 2:3-5 Saying, 3 “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury

Psalm 2:6 Saying, 6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

Psalm 2:7-8 7 I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, And I will surely give The nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.”

Psalm 2: You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.

Psalm 2:10-11 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth. 11 Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling.

Psalm 2:12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

Say it Then say it again And again

How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? (Psalm 13:1-2).

A Psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array. (Psalm 29:1-2).

The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; The God of glory thunders, The LORD is over many waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful, The voice of the LORD is majestic. (Psalm 29:3-4)

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; Yes, the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, And Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the LORD hews out flames of fire. (Psalm 29:5-7).

The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the LORD makes the deer to calve And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everything says, “Glory!” (Psalm 29:8-9).

Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, In the company of the upright and in the assembly. 2 Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them. (Psalm 111:1-2). a b g d

3 Splendid and majestic is His work, And His righteousness endures forever. 4 He has made His wonders to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and compassionate. 5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever. (Psalm 111:3-5). h z x j w y

Making a point through the use of over-statement I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears. (Psalm 6:6).

Read Psalm 63 What is the mood?What is the mood? What figures of speech are used?What figures of speech are used? What figurative imagery is used and what does it convey?What figurative imagery is used and what does it convey? How does it make you feel?How does it make you feel?