Structures of Poetic Resonance

There are numerous meta-details around the poetry of Scripture, especially throughout the Psalms. An analysis of facts and details around the structure and background of poetry from a historical, theological, and literary perspective offers a deeper and more comprehensive view of ancient biblical literature and worship.

Themes of Psalms

A. The Sovereign God

  1. The God of Creation (Ps 33, 74, 89, 95, 104, 135, 136, 147, 148)
  2. The God of Israel (Ps 105, 106)
  3. The God of the Nations (Ps 33)
  4. The God who will establish His Rule upon the Earth

B. The People of God – the Righteous; the Enemies of God – the Wicked

C. God’s Attributes Known to His People (Ps 100, 107)

  1. Loyalty
    Ps 5:7; 6:4; 13:5; 17:7; 18:50; 21:7; 23:6; 25:6, 7, 10; 26:3; 31:7, 16, 21; 32:10; 33:5, 18, 22, 36:5, 7, 10; 40:10, 11; 42:8; 44:26; 48:9; 51:1; 52:1, 8; 57:3; 10; 59:10, 16, 17; 62:12; 63:3; 66:20; 69:13,16; 77:8; 85:7, 10; 86:5, 13, 15; 88:11; 89:1, 2, 14, 24, 28, 33, 49; 90:14; 92:2; 94:18; 98:3; 100:5; 101:1; 103:4, 8, 11, 17; 106:1, 7, 45; 107:1, 8, 15, 21, 31, 43; 108:4; 109:12, 16, 21, 26; 115:1; 117:2; 118:1, 2, 3, 4, 29; 119:14, 64, 76, 88, 124, 149, 159; 130:7; 136:1-26; 138:2, 8; 141:5; 143:8, 12; 144:2; 145:8; 147:11)
  2. Goodness
    Ps 16:2; 25:8; 34:8; 54:6; 68:10; 73:1; 86:5; 100:5; 106:1; 107:1; 118:1, 29; 119:68; 135:3; 136:1; 145:9
  3. Faithfulness
    Ps 33:4; 36:5; 40:10; 88:11; 89:1, 2, 5, 8, 24, 33, 49; 92:2; 96:13; 100:5; 119:75, 86, 90, 138; 143:1
  4. Righteousness
    Ps 7:9; 11:7; 15:2; 22:31; 31:1; 35:24; 50:6; 51:14; 69:27; 71:2, 15, 16, 19, 24; 72:1; 89:16; 97:6; 98:2; 103:17; 111:3; 112:3, 9; 119:40, 142; 143:1; 145:7
  5. Compassion
    Ps 25:6; 40:11; 51:1; 69:16; 77:9; 78:38; 79:8; 103:4, 8, 13; 106:46; 111:4; 112:4; 116:5; 119:77

D. The Davidic Covenant (Ps 78, 89, 132)

Authors of Psalms

NameQuantityReferences
David73Psalms 3-9, 11-32, 34-41, 41-65, 68-70, 86, 101, 103, 108-110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138-145
Asaph12Psalms 50, 73-83
Descendants of Korah10Psalms 42, 44-49, 84-85, 87
Solomon2Psalms 72, 127
Ethan1Psalm 89
Heman1Psalm 88
Moses1Psalm 90
Anonymous50Remaining
Authors of Psalms

Divisions of Psalms

PsalmsChaptersQuantityTheme Correlation
Book I1 – 4141Genesis: Creation, Sin, Salvation
Book II42 – 7231Exodus: Redemption
Book III73 – 8917Leviticus: Sanctuary
Book IV90 – 10617Numbers: Desert Wanderings
Book V107 – 15044Deuteronomy: Word of God
Divisions of Psalms

Categories of Hebrew Poetry

  • Pilgrimage
  • Wisdom
  • Lament
  • Thanksgiving
  • Imprecatory
  • Praise
  • Royal
  • Messianic

Rhythm of ThoughtTypes of Hebrew Parallelism

NameExampleReferences
Synonymous ParallelismO LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger,
Nor chasten me in Your wrath.
Ps 1:2, Ps 6:1, Ps 7:16, Ps 15:1, Ps 19:1, Ps 49:1, 51:3; Prov 9:10, Prov 16:18, Prov 16:28, Prov 19:29
Antithetical ParallelismThe wicked borrows and does not pay back,
But the righteous is gracious and gives.
Ps 37:21, Ps 1:6, Prov 10:1, 2, 4, 7
Synthetic ParallelismGod is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Ps 46:1, Ps 3:4, 29:1, 95:3, Eccl 11:1
Climactic ParallelismIn You our fathers trusted;
They trusted and You
delivered them.
To You they cried out and were
delivered;
In You they trusted and were
not disappointed.
Ps 22:4-5
Emblematic
Parallelism
As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for You, O God.
Ps 41, Ps 42:1, Ps 103:13
Formal
(Catch-All)
“But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”
Ps 2:6, others
Rhythm of Thought – Types of Hebrew Parallelism

Rhythm of Sound Types of Hebrew Poetry

NameDefinitionReferences
AcrosticText stanzas begin with a new letter of the Hebrew alphabet and continue sequentially until completion. A memory device.Ps 9, 10, 24, 37, 111, 112, 119, 145; Prov 31:10-31; Lam 1, 2, 3, 4
AlliterationThe same sound begins with different words through the text.Ps 122:6
AssonanceThe end of each line is a sound alike. Ps 119:29
ParonomasiaA play on words as written and read – Mispat (justice) vs Mispah (bloodshed)Is 5:7
OnomatopeiaA word that sounds like what it is describing. Ps 81:7
InclusionA line of text is repeated again in the same text. Ps 118:1, 29
Rhythm of Sound – Types of Hebrew Poetry

Messianic Psalms

InstanceMessianic DescriptionPsalmFulfillment
1God declares Jesus to be His Son.Ps. 2:7Matt. 3:17
2All things will be put under Jesus’ feet.Ps. 8:6Heb. 2:8
3Jesus will be resurrected from the dead.Ps. 16:10Mark 16:6-7
4God will forsake Jesus in His hour of need.Ps. 22:1Matt. 27:46
5Jesus will be scorned and mocked.Ps. 22:7-8Luke 23:35
6Jesus’ hands and feet will be pierced. Ps. 22:16John 20:25-27
7Others will gamble for Jesus’s clothing.Ps. 22:18Matt. 27:35-36
8Not one of Jesus’ bones will be broken.Ps. 34:20John 19:32-33, 36
9Jesus will be accused by false witnesses.Ps. 35:11Mark 14:57
10Jesus will be hated without a cause.Ps. 35:19John 15:25
11Jesus will come to do God’s will.Ps. 40:7-8Heb. 10:7
12Jesus will be betrayed by a friend.Ps. 41:9Luke 22:47
13Jesus’s throne will last forever.Ps. 45:6Heb 1:8
14Jesus will ascend to God’s right hand.Ps. 68:18Mark 16:19
15Zeal for God’s house will consume Jesus.Ps. 69:9John 2:17
16Jesus will be given vinegar and gall to drink.Ps. 69:21Matt. 27:34
17Jesus will be a worldwide king. Ps. 72:1-19Rev. 19:11-20:6
18Jesus will pray for His enemiesPs. 109:4Luke 23:34
19Jesus’ betrayer’s place will be filled by another. Ps. 109:8Acts 1:20
20Jesus’ enemies will be made subject to Him.Ps. 110:1Matt. 22:44
21Jesus will be a priest like Melchizedek.Ps. 110:4Heb. 5:6
22Jesus will be the chief cornerstone.Ps. 118:22Matt. 21:42
23Jesus will come in the name of the Lord.Ps. 118:26Matt. 21:91
Messianic Psalms

Interpretive History of Psalms

A. Writings – Individual and Freestanding

Psalms separately inspired and valued as:

  1. Prophetic
  2. Instructive
  3. Allegorical
  4. Historical-Grammatical

B. Worship – For Choirs and Others

C. Compilations – Scrolls, Codices or Books

Ancient Development of Psalms

The process of origination of the Psalms followed (1) individual personal development (2) giving of the Psalms to the Levites for temple worship (later synagogues), and (3) for collection to the book or compilation.

Each psalm originated as a separate piece of individual original work among the political and cultic leaders of Israel (Levites). The political leaders of Israel include Moses, David, and Solomon, and the cultic leaders include Asaph, the sons of Korah, Heman, and Ethan among them all.

After the Psalms were given to the Israelites for public worship in the temple, they were arranged in collection for retrieval and use. The origination of the Psalms was not collected in chronological order, theme, or by the author. They were collected and arranged with editorial intent. The words were retained, but the accompanying music detail was lost.

Psalm Order Formation by Intent

Hebrew Terms of Intent:ZakarYadahHalel
Meaning:RemembranceAcknowledgmentPraise
Idea:A plea to God we are in troubleAcknowledgment of answered prayerExaltation to God for who He is
Type:Dirge: Lament
(Psalms of Disorientation)
Gratitude: Declared Praise
(Psalms of Reorientation)
Hymn: Descriptive Praise
(Psalms of Orientation)
Psalm Order Formation by Intent

Psalm Order Formation by Type

The Laments
(Psalms of Disorientation)
The Declaratives
(Psalms of Reorientation)
The Descriptives
(Psalms of Orientation)
Components:Address
Lament
Confession of Trust
Petition
Vow to Praise or
Declarative Praise of God
Components: Proclamation to Praise God
Summary Statement
Report of Deliverance
Praise of God
Components: Call to Praise
Cause of Praise
Renewed Call to Praise
References: Individual Laments:
Ps 3-7, 9-10, 12-14, 17, 22, 25-28, 31, 35, 38-43, 52-57, 59, 61,
63-64, 69-71, 77, 86, 88, 89, 109, 120, 140-142
National Laments:
Ps 44, 60, 74, 79, 80, 83, 85, 9
References: Ps 18, 30, 32, 34, 40, 65, 67, 92, 106, 107, 116, 118, 121, 124, 138 References: Ps 33, 36, 105, 111, 113, 117, 135, 136, 146, 147
Psalm Order Formation by Type

Psalm Order Formation by Author

Distribution of Books within Psalms

Book 1Book 2Book 3Book 4Book 5
Ps 1 – Ps 42 Ps 43 – Ps 72 Ps 74 – Ps 89 Ps 90 – Ps 106 Ps 107 – Ps 150
Psalm Order Formation by Author
Distribution of Books within Psalms

Book 1 – Majority of Davidic Psalms

Anonymous
(cf.: Acts 4:25-26)
David
(Anonymous Ps 10, 33)
Ps 1 -2Ps 3 – 41
Psalm Order Formation by Author
Book 1 – Majority of Davidic Psalms

Book 2 – Majority of Davidic Psalms

KorahAsaphDavid
(Anonymous 66, 67, 71)
Solomon
Ps 42 – 49Ps 50Ps 51 – 71Ps 72
Psalm Order Formation by Author
Book 2 – Majority of Davidic Psalms

Book 3 – Central Position of Davidic Psalm

AsaphKorahDavidKorahEthan
Ps 73 – 83Ps 84 – 85Ps 86Ps 87 – 88Ps 89
Psalm Order Formation by Author
Book 3 – Central Position of Davidic Psalm

Book 4 – Davidic Psalms Evenly Distributed

MosesAnonymousDavid
(Anonymous 102)
Anonymous
Ps 90Ps 91 – 100Ps 101 – 103Ps 104 – 106
Psalm Order Formation by Author
Book 4 – Davidic Psalms Evenly Distributed

Book 5 – Davidic Psalms Evenly Distributed

AnonymousDavidAnonymousAscentsAnonymousDavidAnonymous
Ps 107Ps 108 – 110Ps 111 – 119David:
Ps 122
Ps 124
Ps 131
Ps 133

Solomon:
Ps 127
Ps 135 – 137Ps 138 – 145Ps 146 – 150
Psalm Order Formation by Author
Book 5 – Davidic Psalms Evenly Distributed

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Servant of Christ Jesus. U.S. Military Veteran, Electrical Engineer, Pepperdine MBA, and M.A. Biblical and Theological Studies.

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