Learning To Listen

As you read the psalms, you may notice that many verses seem redundant. What is written on one line is repeated to some extent on the next. This repetition might be a bit puzzling to us. After all, poetry is supposed to rhyme, isn’t it?

Despite its unfamiliar form, Hebrew poetry does follow a set of conventions or rules. One of these rules is parallelism. Instead of rhyming sounds, like English poetry often does (e.g., “Jack and Jill / Went up the hill”), Hebrew poetry rhymes ideas, and we call this parallelism. Hebrew parallelism takes three primary forms: synonymous, antithetical, and synthetic.

Synonymous Parallelism

Synonymous parallelism consists of two lines that say virtually the same thing. An example of this form is Psalm 5:1:

O LORD, hear me as I pray;

pay attention to my groaning.

Here the psalmist uses two imperatives to exhort God to listen to him. The first imperative is “hear,” the second “pay attention.” Although the words used are different, the idea is the same: Listen to what I have to say. The repetition of the idea adds emphasis to it.

Antithetical Parallelism

Some Hebrew poetry uses antithetical parallelism. This consists of two lines that contain opposite ideas. Psalm 1:6 uses this form:

For the LORD watches over the path of the godly,

but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

In this case, by using antithetical parallelism, the author can clearly contrast the consequences of two types of people—the godly and the wicked. This “two ways” approach to life and morality is a favorite of the Hebrew writers.

Synthetic Parallelism

Sometimes two lines of Hebrew poetry build on each other. Psalm 14:2 exhibits such synthetic parallelism:

The LORD looks down from heaven

on the entire human race;

he looks to see if there is even one with real understanding,

one who seeks for God.

In this case, “on the entire human race” certainly isn’t parallel with the idea of the Lord looking down from heaven, nor is it an opposite idea. Instead, this second line completes the thought begun in the first line. The same is true for “one who seeks for God.” Sometimes it’s hard to know if two lines mean the same thing or whether the second line is adding to the first. Examine a few psalms, and you will see that it can be a challenge to figure it out.

There are other variations on these three types of parallelism. It is not necessary for you to learn all the forms intimately in order to enjoy the Psalms. Nevertheless, gaining a basic understanding of parallelism in Hebrew poetry will help you gain a greater appreciation for the Psalms and the skill with which the authors composed them.

Let fields rejoice, and everything

That springs up from the earth;

Then woods and every tree shall sing

With gladness and with mirth.

OLD SCOTTISH PSALTER

“The Book of Psalms is a theatre, in which God allows us to behold both Himself and His works; a most pleasant green field; a vast garden where we see all manner of flowers.”

PAULUS GERHARDT

When you think of the greatness of God, is there any better way to describe him than poetically? Compose a psalm that expresses your thoughts about God, and consider using some of the devices of the Hebrew poets.