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Interpreting Scripture Accurately

Understanding Hebrew Poetry

The Psalms of the Old Testament are poetry but it is of course in Hebrew, which makes it “Hebrew Poetry.” You should know, however, that Hebrew Poetry is nothing like English poetry and is actually quite different than our English concept of poetry.

The chief characteristic of Hebrew Poetry is the idea of “thought” or sense of rhythm.

Hebrew Poetry is achieved by repetition of a thought or thoughts and ideas.

What Hebrew Poetry is NOT:

Hebrew Poetry is NOT achieved by the repetition of sound(s) or accent or rhyming of sounds

The notion of poetry by repetition of thoughts or ideas is called “parallelism” – understanding this concept of parallelism is essential in reading and understanding the Psalms or any other Old Testament book of Hebrew Poetry – such as the prophets who often wrote in Hebraic poetry form.

There are three major types of parallelism. Think of each type as representing two lines of poetry.

#1. Synonymous Parallelism:

This type repeats the same thought twice but using different words in each line. For example: Psalm 3:1 – where David says:

Line 1: “O Lord, how my adversaries have increased.”
Line 2: “Many are rising up against me.”

Notice how each line has the same thought but each uses its own words to express that though. In synonymous parallelism one line clarifies another by re-stating the issue.

#2. Antithetic Parallelism

With Antithetic Parallelism we have two lines   parallel one another as opposites expressing the same thought. In other words, line 2 is the contrasting statement of line 1.
For an example, look at Psalm 1:6

Line 1: “For the Lord knows the way of the righteous.”
Line 2: “But the way of the wicked will perish”

In antithetic parallelism one line clarifies the other by an opposite statement. The repetition helps understand the psalmist’s thought.

#3. Synthetic Parallelism

In this type of poetry the thought of one line is expanded, added to, and developed.
Psalm 1:2 illustrates this concept.

Line 1: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord.”
Line 2. “And in His law he meditates day and night.”

The delight spoken of in line 1 is expanded by the words “meditates day and night.” This then has great didactic value – one line expands the other line.

We should note here also that in a single Psalm – Psalm 1 we have the thee different types of poetic parallelism. These are the basics of Hebrew Poetry but as you read the Psalms or other Hebrew Poetry you’ll find these three types expanded upon and mixed in with each other to express the author’s intended points of meaning. Sometimes this interplay of the various types can become quite intricate and involved in an almost dazzling display of creativity that really get the full meaning expressed.

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